Extra Time podcast episode 11: Draw made for Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, Messi may miss out on World Cup

John McAuley was at the draw for the 2017 Fifa Club World Cup at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi where Al Jazira were paired in the same half of the draw as defending champions Real Madrid. He caught up with former France international defender Eric Abidal, wo spoke about being part of the Barcelona team that won the tournament here in Abu Dhabi in 2009.

Also joining this week's host Steve Luckings is sports editor Graham Caygill discussing the state of play as we head into the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in which Lionel Messi's Argentina are in serious danger of failing to qualify. We also look ahead to Syria's second leg play-off against Australia in Sydney. Can they continue their fairy-tale run?

Finally, a look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixtures where Manchester United face their first serious test of the campaign when they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool, and things don’t get any easier for winless Crystal Palace with Chelsea next up.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

European arms

Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.