Benfica (Portugal)
How they qualified: Seventh-best team in Uefa four-year coefficient rankings.
Manager: Bruno Lage. Portuguese is in his second spell in charge having returned to Benfica following stints in England and Brazil. Won the Primeira Liga in his first season with Benfica (2018/19), then the League Cup in January after beating Sporting Club on penalties in the final.
Star player: Kerem Akturkoglu. Turkish left-winger has just enjoyed a sparkling first season in Portugal, scoring 18 goals and assisting a further 16 across competitions. Was a two-time title winner and Super Lig player of the season at previous club Galatasaray. Has notched 11 times in 30 appearances for his country – including a hat-trick against Iceland last September.
One to watch: Vangelis Pavlidis. Greece striker's 19 goals last season was only bettered by Viktor Gyokeres' 39 for Sporting in the Primeira Liga scoring charts. Joined Benfica last summer, following a prolific spell at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, and ended his first campaign with 29 goals and 12 assists.
Domestic season record: Finished second in Primeira Liga, two points behind champions Sporting Club.
Fixtures:
- June 17 (2am kick-off UAE): Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
- June 20 (8pm KO) Auckland City at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando.
- June 24 (11pm KO) Bayern Munich at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte.
Auckland City (New Zealand)
How they qualified: Best OFC Champions League winner of the four-year ranking period.
Manager: Paul Posa. Previous manager Albert Riera had been a huge success but stepped aside with the club saying he was focusing on pursuing coaching qualifications and spending time with his family. Rosa was appointed in January for his second spell in charge, but the club have announced that he will not be with squad in US for the first two weeks of June “due to personal circumstances”. Posa was juggling coaching amateur side Auckland with working four days a week at his dentistry practice, according to New Zealand website Stuff.
Star player: Angus Kilkolly. New Zealand striker will be playing in his fifth Club World Cup; once with Team Wellington and the rest with Auckland whom he joined in 2020. “We're going there a little bit naive and going there for dreams and a bit of a hope that we can come back with our own special story,” said the 29-year-old.
One to watch: Myer Bevan. Home-grown striker, 28, arrives in US in good form having scored both goals in April's OFC Champions League final win over Hekari United – Auckland's fourth consecutive title and record-extending 13th crown overall.
Domestic season record: Currently second in the National League – North, one point behind leaders Birkenhead United.
Fixtures:
- June 15 (8pm kick-off UAE) Bayern Munich at TQL Cincinnati.
- June 20 (8pm KO) Benfica at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando.
- June 24 (11pm KO) Boca Juniors at Geodis Park, Nashville.
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
How they qualified: Second-best team in the Conmebol four-year rankings.
Manager: Miguel Angel Russo. Appointed for third spell in charge just weeks before the tournament, replacing Fernando Gago. The 69-year-old won the 2007 Libertadores title in his first spell, followed by the 2019/20 Argentine Primera Division and 2020 Copa de la Liga Profesional in his second.
Star player: Miguel Merentiel. Uruguayan striker – nicknamed 'The Beast' – has 42 goals and 15 assists in 120 games for Boca. The 29-year-old made his international debut against Venezuela in 2024.
One to watch: Kevin Zenon. Versatile Argentine wingback has been linked with moves to Europe with the likes of Inter Milan, Newcastle United and Porto all reported to have taken an interest. The 23-year-old has goals and seven assists in 65 games for Boca.
Domestic season record: Finished first tournament of Argentine Primera Division season (Torneo Apertura) second in Group A, level on points with leaders Argentinos Juniors but behind on goal difference. Knocked out in quarter-finals 1-0 by Independiente. The second tournament (Torneo Clausura) begins on July 17.
Fixtures:
- June 17 (2am kick-off UAE): Benfica at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
- June 21 (5pm KO) Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
- June 24 (11pm KO) Auckland City at Geodis Park, Nashville.
Bayern Munich (Germany)
How they qualified: Best team in the Uefa four-year coefficient rankings.
Manager: Vincent Kompany. Former Manchester City captain has just secured the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge of the Bavarian giants. Previously led English side Burnley to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.
Star player: Harry Kane. England captain has been a relentless goal machine since moving to Germany in 2023, winning the Bundesliga top-scorer crown in successive seasons and has notched 82 times in 91 Bayern appearances – including 62 in 63 Bundesliga matches.
One to watch: Michael Olise. Exciting French winger has just enjoyed a superb first season at Bayern after moving from English side Crystal Palace last summer, scoring 17 goals and providing 21 assists across competitions. The 23-year-old's 15 Bundesliga assists was also the best in the German top flight.
Domestic season record: Finished as Bundesliga champions, finishing 13 points clear of Bayer Leverkusen.
Fixtures:
- June 15 (8pm kick-off UAE) Auckland City at TQL Cincinnati.
- June 21 (5pm KO) Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
- June 24 (11pm KO) Benfica at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte.
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
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
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
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
SUZUME
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Makoto%20Shinkai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Nanoka%20Hara%2C%20Hokuto%20Matsumura%2C%20Eri%20Fukatsu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Everton 0
Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:
- Former first lady Hillary Clinton
- Former US president Barack Obama
- Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
- Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
- California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
