Canelo Álvarez already has a rival and a date for his return

The man from Guadalajara will face Christian Mbilli on September 12 in Saudi Arabia for the WBC super middleweight title.

Publicado 17 mayo, 2026 el 17 de mayo a las 13:46 | 2 mins reading |665 vistas | por Miguel Torres

Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez will return to the ring. Sheikh Turki Alalshikh confirmed the date and the rival through The Ring: the Mexican will face the Frenchman Christian Mbilli on September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The fight will be for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight championship. Canelo is looking to regain the belt he lost last year to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

Conference in Cairo
The official presentation of the fight will take place on May 23 in Cairo, Egypt. It is the second time that Álvarez will fight in Saudi territory; the first was in May 2025, when he defeated William Scull.

For the first time in years, the man from Guadalajara did not fight in May, but he announced that his traditional September fight remains as part of the national celebrations.

Mbilli, undefeated and with power
The Frenchman arrives with a record of 29 victories (24 by knockout) and one draw. He won the WBC super middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki in June 2025 and defended it against Lester Martínez on the same card where Canelo lost to Crawford.

Mbilli is 29 years old and is considered one of the most dangerous prospects in the division. His punching power and his undefeated record make him a real threat for the Mexican’s comeback.

Chance for revenge
For Canelo, this fight represents a clear opportunity to regain a world belt after losing his reign. The fight in Riyadh will be his second in Saudi Arabia and the first high-stakes one since the loss to Crawford.

The expectation is high. Mexican boxing is closely following the Tapatio’s steps in his attempt to regain the top spot in the super middleweight division.

Sports

The Spain-Saudi Arabia duel opens Group H in 2026

The Group H match will be played on June 21 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Publicado 2 hours ago el 20 de junio a las 22:54 | 1 min reading

Match confirmed for Group H

Spain and Saudi Arabia will face each other in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. The match is scheduled for June 21 of that year, within Group H.

The venue will be the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, located in Atlanta, United States. This venue is among the official venues of the tournament and will host one of the key matches of the first round.

The crossing is part of the initial schedule of the World Cup. Both teams must score points in this duel to advance to the next phase.

With the date and place already defined, the match is integrated into the agenda of Group H. Atlanta will be the stage where the Spanish and Saudis will begin their journey in the tournament.

Sports

Kansas City: connectivity and football as pillars for the 2026 World Cup

New airport, stadiums and transportation network define the American headquarters.

Publicado 2 hours ago el 20 de junio a las 22:43 | 2 mins reading

Kansas City was selected on June 16, 2022 as one of the eleven United States venues for the 2026 World Cup. Its operational profile rests on two axes: air connectivity and an active sports environment in soccer.

Key infrastructure

The gateway is Kansas City International Airport (MCI). A new $1.5 billion terminal, with 39 gates and advanced technology, opened in March 2023, replacing the previous terminals. In addition, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) complements general aviation.

In urban transportation, the city has had the MAX rapid bus system, since 2005, with routes to River Market, downtown, Union Station and Country Club Plaza. A modern streetcar has operated since 2016 between River Market and Union Station, with extensions approved to the south and north. Amtrak connects with Chicago, Los Angeles and St. Louis.

Football scene

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) is the main men’s club, with two MLS Cup titles and four US Open Cups. The Kansas City Current women’s team competes in the NWSL and since 2024 has played at CPKC Stadium, an 11,500-seat venue built in Berkley Riverfront Park, whose construction began in October 2022.

The city is also experiencing an urban transformation: more than $6 billion in downtown improvements, the T-Mobile Center (18,500 seats), and population growth that quadrupled downtown residents between 2007 and 2017.

Kansas City thus presents itself with a renovated airport, expanding mobility and a consolidated soccer base.

Sports

Netherlands reaches the 2026 World Cup with Koeman and Van Dijk in charge

The Oranje refines its preparation with friendlies against Norway and Ecuador in March 2026.

Publicado 3 hours ago el 20 de junio a las 22:28 | 2 mins reading

Heading to 2026: the present of the Oranje

The Netherlands team already has its path mapped out for the 2026 World Cup. It is in Group F, with Ronald Koeman as coach and Virgil van Dijk as captain. In the FIFA ranking, it is in seventh place (update April 2026).

Memphis Depay is the team’s all-time top scorer (55 goals), while Wesley Sneijder leads in appearances (134).

A cycle of ups and downs

The team went through a difficult period after being left out of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. Koeman took over in 2018 and managed to take the Netherlands to the final of the Nations League in 2019, where they lost to Portugal. Then, with Frank de Boer, the team fell in the second round of Euro 2020. Louis van Gaal returned for the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals and were eliminated by Argentina on penalties.

Koeman returned to the bench and leads the process towards 2026. The preparation includes friendlies in March 2026 against Norway and Ecuador, with a squad of 26 players.

Identity and background

Orange is the titular color; the alternative jersey is blue. Nike has been the technical sponsor since 1996. The shield features a lion, a national symbol.

The Netherlands has been runner-up in the world three times (1974, 1978 and 2010) and obtained third place in 2014. Now, with a consolidated leadership, they seek to fight for the title again.