Read more:
Group A: Al Ahly, Porto, Palmerias, Inter Miami
Group B: Atletico Madrid, Seattle Sounders, Botafogo, PSG
Group C: Benfica, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Bayern Munich
Flamengo (Brazil)
How they qualified: 2022 Copa Libertadores winners.
Manager: Filipe Luis. Former Flamengo defender who became manager in September 2024, replacing former Brazil coach Tite. Led team to Brazilian Cup, Brazilian Super Cup and the Campeonato Carioca in impressive first eight months in which his team lost just three times in 45 games. Will face former club Chelsea in the US.
Star player: Pedro. Only returned to action in April after serious knee injury picked up playing for Brazil. The 27-year-old was top-scorer and player of the tournament in Flamengo's 2022 Copa Libertadores-winning campaign with 12 goals. Has 140 goals and 35 assists in 277 games for Flamengo, winning 11 trophies.
One to watch: Giorgian de Arrascaeta. Uruguayan attacker is a creator supreme and scorer of stunning goals. Leads the way in both goals and assists for Flamengo this season (12 and six, respectively) having just turned 31. Cemented his name in club history by helping the team win two Copa Libertadores and two Brazilian titles in a Flamengo career which has seen him score 85 and assist 99 goals in 316 games.
Domestic season record: Currently top of Brazilian Serie A, one point clear of second-placed Cruzeiro and Red Bull Bragantino in third.
Fixtures:
- June 17 (5am kick-off UAE): Esperance de Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
- June 20 (10pm KO) Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
- June 25 (5am KO) Los Angeles FC at Camping World Stadium, Orlando.
Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
How they qualified: Best team in the CAF four-year rankings.
Manager: Maher Kanzari. A familiar face in the Middle East having played for UAE sides Al Nasr and Dubai CSC as well as Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Won the Tunisian league title three times as an Esperance player and has just completed the double having returned for his third spell as coach in March.
Star player: Youcef Belaili. Algerian Africa Cup of Nations winner who rejoined the club for a third time last summer and whose 11 goals and eight assists helped Esperance secure the domestic double. Also chipped in with an impressive seven goals and eight assists in 10 CAF Champions League appearances.
One to watch: Yan Sasse. Versatile Brazilian attacker and fan favourite who was the club's top scorer in the title-winning team with 10 goals. Describes his time at Esperance as “the best moment of my career” and was a key player in the club's run to the 2024 CAF Champions League final.
Domestic season record: Won the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, four points clear of second-placed Monastir.
Fixtures:
- June 17 (5am kick-off UAE): Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
- June 21 (2am KO) Los Angeles FC at Geodis Park, Nashville.
- June 25 (5am KO) Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Chelsea (England)
How they qualified: 2020/21 Uefa Champions League winners.
Manager: Enzo Maresca. Joined Chelsea last summer having just guided Leicester City to the second-tier title. Previously assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Maresca guided Chelsea to a Uefa Champions League spot next season and secured his first major trophy as a manager by beating Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa Conference League final.
Star player: Cole Palmer. Endured a tough second half of the season when he scored just once after notching against Bournemouth on January 14, but still finished the campaign with 15 goals and 12 assists. Supremely gifted England international whose and superb performance in the second half against Betis were crucial in turning that game Chelsea's way.
One to watch: Enzo Fernandez. Had failed to convince since moving to London in 2023 for a then British record deal of £107m but Argentine midfielder has just enjoyed his best season at the club. Part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America winning teams and should relish being back on the global stage.
Domestic season record: Finished fourth in Premier League, 15 points behind champions Liverpool.
Fixtures:
- June 16 (11pm kick-off UAE): Los Angeles FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
- June 20 (10pm KO) Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
- June 25 (5am KO) Esperance de Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Los Angeles FC (United States)
How they qualified: Winners of play-in match after Leon were kicked out for breaking multi-club ownership rules.
Manager: Steve Cherundolo. Took over as LAFC coach in 2022, quickly helping the club win their first MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield in his first season and then the US Open Cup in 2024. In April, Cherundolo announced that he will be stepping down as coach at the end of the 2025 MLS campaign.
Star player: Denis Bouanga. French-born Gabon winger scored the extra-time winner that defeated Club America of Mexico and booked LAFC their spot at the Club World Cup. Has 10 goals in 20 games this season, while his career tally at LAFC is an impressive 80 in 126, with 34 assists.
One to watch: Olivier Giroud. Veteran striker has been there, done that having lifted the Fifa World Cup with France, the Uefa Champions League with Club World Cup opponents Chelsea, while also winning league titles in France, England and Italy. The 38-year-old provided the assist for Bouanga's dramatic winner against Club America.
Domestic season record: Currently fifth in the Western Conference, nine points behind leaders Vancouver.
Fixtures:
- June 16 (11pm kick-off UAE): Chelsea at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
- June 21 (2am KO) Esperance de Tunis at Geodis Park, Nashville.
- June 25 (5am KO) Flamengo at Camping World Stadium, Orlando.
Read more:
Group A guide: Al Ahly, Porto, Palmerias, Inter Miami
Group B guide: Atletico Madrid, Seattle Sounders, Botafogo, PSG
Group C guide: Benfica, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Bayern Munich
Group D guide: Flamengo, Esperance, Chelsea, Los Angeles FC
Group E guide: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F guide: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G guide: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H guide: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, RB Salzburg
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Fixtures
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
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
Read more about the coronavirus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)
AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)
Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Sunday
Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)
Roma v Brescia (6pm)
Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)
Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)
Monday
SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
