MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Saturday he will sign a contract extension in the near future with the club he has guided to back-to-back Champions League titles.
“I’m happy because it’s a sign of confidence, that we have done good work,” Zidane told a pre-match press conference ahead of Real’s Spanish Super Cup showdown with Barcelona when quizzed on reports over his future.
Madrid sports daily AS reported the Frenchman will be rewarded with a three-year deal for his feats in not only delivering two Champions Leagues in just 20 months in charge, but also Real’s first La Liga title for five years.
“I enjoy every day here,” added Zidane, who also ended his illustrious playing career at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I’m lucky enough to have this extraordinary squad and I am very happy with it.”
Zidane added a sixth trophy to his burgeoning collection as a coach when Madrid saw off Manchester United 2-1 to retain the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday.
However, he acknowledged that even his future will depend on maintaining his winning streak given the high demands placed on coaches at Madrid.
“You could sign a contract for 10 or 20 years, but I know where I am and what I have to do,” he continued.
“Within a year you could be gone.”
Zidane also warned the European champions against a Barcelona backlash at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Barca are still reeling from the loss of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record €222 million ($262 million) with their attempts to land a replacement in Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund so far falling short.
Zidane admitted “there aren’t many players” with Neymar’s individual qualities, but claimed his absence would not give Madrid the upper hand over two El Clasico clashes in four days with the second leg of the Super cup to come at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
“They have had changes but Barcelona are Barcelona. We know how they play and their idea of how to play isn’t going to change,” said Zidane.
“Neymar isn’t replaceable but there will be others that will do very well. If we think it is going to be easier tomorrow we will be mistaken.”
Zidane vows to extend Real Madrid contract
Zidane vows to extend Real Madrid contract
Why 2026 could be Saudi Arabia’s most important sporting year yet
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates toward hosting some of the world’s biggest sporting events, the focus has shifted from spectacle to systems.
Under Vision 2030, building long-term capability in event-hosting has become as important as attracting the events themselves. And 2026 may be the year where that strategy is comprehensively tested more than ever.
The calendar alone hints at its significance. A mix of returning global fixtures and first-time arrivals will have Saudi Arabia host a near-continuous run of major events across multiple sports, creating an opportunity to refine and scale its hosting model.
The year begins with the Dakar Rally, which returns to Saudi Arabia for a seventh edition. More than 900 drivers will traverse over 7,000 km of desert terrain in one of the most logistically demanding events in world sport.
Shortly after, attention shifts to Al-Inma Stadium, with the Spanish Super Cup bringing Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to Jeddah.
A new arrival will make its way to Saudi Arabia just a day prior: the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, a key tournament on the road to AFC Asian Cup 2027.
Sixteen nations will compete, offering a rehearsal not just for players, but also organizers and infrastructure ahead of the Kingdom’s first continental flagship event.
January 2026 also marks a milestone beyond the confines of traditional sport. The WWE Royal Rumble — part of the WWE’s “Big Four” Premium Live Events — will be staged outside of North America for the first time.
Riyadh is set to be the stage for the larger-than-life professional wrestling characters that have wowed Saudi fans on many an occasion in recent years.
The remainder of 2026 continues in similar fashion. Events confirmed include the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Formula E, AFC U-17 Asian Cup, eSports World Cup, WTA Finals, Gulf Cup and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
These events form a calendar that includes elite competition, youth development, mass participation and digital sport.
What makes 2026 particularly important — despite the presence of much larger events in the following years, such as the AFC Asian Cup, the Asian Games and the FIFA World Cup — is not the scale of individual events, but the volume and variety.
These events will allow Saudi Arabia to deepen its operational expertise and test its ability to deliver consistently across a range of disciplines. This approach aligns with the Kingdom’s broader national objectives.
According to the Vision 2030 website, adult participation in physical activity for at least 150 minutes a week reached 59.1 percent in 2025, breaking past the 2027 target.
Also, children’s participation has risen to 19 percent, speeding past the 2029 goal by four years. Major events, in this context, are not endpoints, but catalysts for the rapid growth on show.
That is why tournaments such as the AFC U-23 Asian Cup and AFC U-17 Asian Cup sit alongside the global spectacles on the 2026 calendar.
More than just a way of bringing as many events as possible to the Kingdom, they represent pathways for athletes, fans, volunteers and organizers to engage with sport at every level, while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s growing identity as a capable and credible host.
By the time the Kingdom turns its full attention to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 — just over 12 months from now — much of the groundwork will have already been laid.
In that sense, it is clear to see that 2026 will not just be about headlines, but also building the Kingdom’s readiness for the sheer variety of events to come.
