Turkish motorcycling is set for a historic leap as three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu prepares to make his long-awaited MotoGP debut in Thailand, becoming the first rider from his country to compete in the sport’s premier class.

The 29-year-old, born in Alanya on Oct. 16, 1996, begins his first season in MotoGP this weekend at the Thailand Grand Prix at Chang International Circuit in Buriram. For Razgatlıoğlu, the moment is both personal and national.

“It’s exciting to be the first Turkish rider in MotoGP,” he said ahead of the season opener. “Everything is different compared to Superbike. My focus now is to adapt. After four or five races, I believe we’ll be in a better place.”

Toprak to the world

Razgatlıoğlu’s journey began at age 7 under the guidance of his father, Arif Razgatlıoğlu, known in Türkiye as “Tek Teker Arif.”

By 16, Toprak had broken the Istanbul Park lap record and claimed the Turkish championship. In 2015, he won the European Superstock 600 title, signaling the arrival of a rare talent.

His career accelerated under the mentorship of five-time Supersport world champion Kenan Sofuoğlu, who took him under his wing as a teenager and guided his rise through the ranks.

Superbike legacy

Razgatlıoğlu leaves Superbike World Championship as one of its modern greats. He captured world titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025, becoming the first Turkish rider to win the championship and ending Jonathan Rea’s six-year reign with his breakthrough crown for Yamaha.

Across eight seasons, he made 258 starts, stood on the podium 173 times and played the Turkish national anthem 78 times from the top step. In 2024, he set a championship record with 13 consecutive victories.

He delivered Yamaha’s long-awaited title in 2021, then gave BMW its first Superbike crown in 2024 and a second riders’ championship in 2025. Few riders have reshaped two manufacturers’ histories the way he has.

Now he steps into the unknown.

MotoGP challenge

Razgatlıoğlu will race the Yamaha YZR-M1 for Prima Pramac Racing in 2026, carrying the number 07 in tribute to his hometown Antalya’s license plate code. The technical leap from production-based Superbikes to carbon-braked, prototype MotoGP machines demands a new riding style and a reset in expectations.

“The bikes are completely different,” he said. “We are working to adapt my style. The first goal is to feel comfortable on the bike. Fighting at the front will take time.”

He has circled 2027 as a key target year, when sweeping regulation changes are set to reshape the grid. If 2026 is about learning, 2027 is about striking.

“If we truly understand everything in the first year, 2027 can be very different for us,” he said.

Understanding the arena

Founded in 1949 by the FIM, MotoGP represents the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, featuring purpose-built 1000cc prototypes that are not road legal and unavailable to the public. The championship adopted the MotoGP name in 2002, replacing the old 500cc premier class.

Italian legend Giacomo Agostini remains the most decorated rider in Grand Prix history with 15 world titles across classes, including eight in the premier category. Modern icon Valentino Rossi claimed nine world championships and 115 race wins, while Marc Márquez has dominated the 1000cc era with seven MotoGP crowns.

Razgatlıoğlu enters a paddock stacked with established champions and factory-backed stars. The Thailand Grand Prix opens with practice on Friday, followed by qualifying and a sprint race Saturday, before Sunday’s 26-lap main event.

Beyond results, Razgatlıoğlu sees his move as a catalyst for Turkish motorsport.

“Motor racing is not widely known in our country,” he said. “As we succeed, more young riders will come. We need more athletes so we can represent Türkiye better.”

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Violence erupted across Mexico following the death of a powerful drug lord, raising concerns about the country’s readiness to co-host the World Cup in just over three months.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains confident.

“Of course, we are closely monitoring the situation in Mexico, but I want to make it clear that we have full confidence in Mexico, in President Claudia Sheinbaum and in the authorities,” Infantino said Tuesday at a press conference in Colombia. “We are convinced everything will proceed as smoothly as possible.”

“Mexico is a great country, and like anywhere in the world, incidents happen,” he added. “That is why governments, police and authorities exist to maintain order and security.”

The unrest followed the killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Cartel members responded with a wave of violence, setting cars ablaze and blocking roads in nearly a dozen states, leaving at least 70 people dead, according to authorities.

Four high-level football matches in the local leagues were postponed last Sunday, including one in the central city of Queretaro. Mexico defeated Iceland 4-0 late Wednesday in a friendly match.

Before the match, a minute of silence was held at Corregidora Stadium in honor of the soldiers who died during the operation to capture Oseguera.

Thirteen World Cup matches are scheduled in Mexico, including the opening game in Mexico City on June 11 between the co-host and South Africa. Guadalajara, the central hub of the Jalisco cartel, is scheduled to host four matches.

Colombia is set to play one game in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara.

“Our first two matches are in Mexico, but we know they will overcome this and move forward,” said Ramon Jesurun, president of the Colombian Football Federation. “I have absolute and total confidence in my geopolitical thinking that this is an issue Mexico will overcome, and overcome very quickly.”

Other nations have expressed more concern. The Portuguese Football Federation said Tuesday that it is closely monitoring developments ahead of a planned friendly against Mexico in March. Jamaica is set to play New Caledonia in Guadalajara on March 26 in an intercontinental playoff semifinal, with the winner advancing to face Congo for a World Cup spot.

“The games are at the end of March, so we still have another month to see what happens, but it is making me very nervous, to be honest,” said Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaican Football Federation. “We will be listening for CONCACAF and FIFA instructions on whether the games are being played or whether they are immediately looking for other options.”

Another Mexican city, Monterrey, will host a playoff where Bolivia plays Suriname, with the winner facing Iraq for a spot in the tournament.

On Monday, Sheinbaum said there is “every guarantee” that the World Cup matches in Guadalajara will be played as planned and added that there is “no risk.”

“We are in regular contact with the presidency and the authorities in Mexico, and we are monitoring the situation,” Infantino said. “The World Cup is going to be an incredible celebration.”

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The knockout stages of Europe’s top club competitions take shape on Friday as UEFA conducts the round-of-16 draws for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League at its Nyon headquarters in Switzerland.

For the first time under the expanded league-phase format, the draws will not only decide round-of-16 matchups but also map the quarterfinal and semifinal routes, giving clubs a full view of the road to the finals in Budapest and beyond.

Galatasaray await English opposition

Galatasaray, Türkiye’s reigning champions, booked their spot in the round of 16 with a dramatic 7-5 aggregate win over Juventus in the playoff round.

Under UEFA’s new draw rules, the Istanbul giants will face one of two English Premier League powerhouses: Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.

The 16-team round features eight seeded clubs, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City, who finished in the top eight of the league phase and will host the second legs.

The remaining eight teams, including Galatasaray, earned their spots through the knockout playoffs: Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodo/Glimt, and Galatasaray.

Round-of-16 fixtures kick off with first legs on March 10-11, followed by return legs on March 17-18.

The draw will immediately reveal the path to the final, offering a rare look at potential quarterfinal and semifinal clashes.

Fenerbahçe’s do-or-die scenario

Fenerbahçe faces a monumental task in the Europa League, trailing 0-3 from the first leg against Nottingham Forest.

A stunning comeback would see the Turkish side enter Friday’s draw as an unseeded team, potentially facing Real Betis or Midtjylland in the round of 16.

Eight teams already qualified from the league phase, Olympique Lyon, Aston Villa, Midtjylland, Real Betis, Porto, Braga, SC Freiburg, and Roma, will be joined by the winners of today’s playoff second legs to complete the round-of-16 field.

Matches are set for March 12 and 19, mirroring the schedule of the Conference League.

Conference League bracket

The Conference League follows the same structure, with the top eight league-phase teams seeded and playoff winners filling out the remaining spots.

The draw will fix the bracket through the semifinals, giving teams clarity on the potential road to the final. Turkish clubs are not represented at this stage.

These draws mark a pivotal moment in the 2025/26 European season.

Galatasaray’s round-of-16 entry offers a chance to test themselves against two of England’s elite sides, while Fenerbahçe’s fight for survival against Nottingham Forest could be a defining chapter in their continental campaign.

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Galatasaray are through to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2014, but they needed every ounce of resilience to survive a furious, 10-man Juventus side that refused to bow out quietly in Turin.

Holding a commanding 5-2 advantage from the first leg in Istanbul, the Turkish champions appeared in control of the tie.

Instead, they were dragged into a bruising, emotional contest that swung wildly before being settled by two clinical blows in extra time.

Juventus won 3-2 on the night, but Galatasaray advanced 7-5 on aggregate after a drama-filled 120 minutes.

Juventus ignite belief

Juventus entered the match in poor domestic form, winless in five and short on confidence. What followed was a display that defied their recent struggles.

The hosts pressed early and created clear chances.

Federico Gatti headed over from close range, while Kenan Yıldız and Manuel Locatelli both tested Uğurcan Çakır.

The breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute when Lucas Torreira clipped Khephren Thuram in the box. Locatelli converted the penalty with authority, cutting the deficit and igniting the crowd.

Juventus sensed vulnerability. Galatasaray, so fluent in the first leg, looked uneasy under pressure.

Then came the turning point.

Red card and resistance

Three minutes after halftime, Lloyd Kelly was dismissed. Initially shown a second yellow for catching Barış Alper Yılmaz while landing from a jump, the decision was upgraded to a straight red after a pitchside review for serious foul play. Kelly stood in disbelief. Juventus were down to 10 men, mirroring the first leg when they also finished a man short.

The dismissal should have killed the comeback. Instead, it fueled it.

Gatti atoned for his earlier misses by tapping in at the back post from Pierre Kalulu’s delivery with 20 minutes remaining. Yıldız then struck the post as Juventus surged forward with remarkable intensity for a side reduced in numbers.

With eight minutes left in regulation, Weston McKennie rose inside the six-yard box to head home and level the tie on aggregate. Against the odds, Juventus had erased a three-goal deficit.

“I feel like crying. We gave our heart and soul,” Locatelli said afterward. “These games stay in your heart.”

Fine margins in extra time

Juventus carried their momentum into extra time and nearly completed the turnaround. Edon Zhegrova found himself unmarked six yards out but blazed over in what will haunt him. It was the clearest chance of the tie.

Galatasaray punished the miss with ruthless efficiency.

Just before the break in extra time, Victor Osimhen collected a pass from Yılmaz inside the area and calmly slid his finish through Mattia Perin’s legs. The goal halted Juventus’ charge and restored control to the visitors.

Çakır then preserved the aggregate lead with a sharp reflex save from Zhegrova.

As Juventus tired, spaces opened. In the closing stages, Yılmaz burst forward on the counterattack and applied the decisive finish, ending hopes of penalties.

Galatasaray’s progression owed more to resolve than dominance. Despite playing nearly 75 minutes with a numerical advantage, they struggled to dictate tempo and were repeatedly pinned back by a side reduced to 10.

Yet the individual quality of Osimhen, signed at significant cost last summer, proved decisive when it mattered most.

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Samsunspor return home on Thursday knowing 90 minutes stand between them and a place in the UEFA Conference League last 16.

The Turkish side carry a narrow 1-0 advantage into the second leg against Macedonian champions Shkendija at Samsun 19 Mayis Stadyumu, earned through Marius Mouandilmadji’s 77th-minute strike in Skopje.

It was a disciplined away display that handed them control of the tie. Now they must show they can finish it.

Samsunspor’s European campaign has followed a familiar pattern.

They opened the league phase with authority, winning their first three matches while scoring seven goals and conceding none.

Confidence surged. Then the rhythm disappeared. One draw and two defeats in their final three fixtures left them 12th in the standings, short of automatic qualification.

Domestic form told a similar story. A bright start in the Turkish Super Lig faded sharply, prompting the dismissal of Thomas Reis and the arrival of Thorsten Fink.

The German coach steadied the ship in Europe with that first leg victory over Shkendija, but last weekend’s goalless draw against bottom side Fatih Karagumruk highlighted the inconsistency that continues to shadow the team.

At home, however, Samsunspor have looked far more assured. Two of their three league phase victories at Samsun 19 Mayis Stadyumu came by commanding 3-0 scorelines. Their only defeat there was a tight 2-1 loss to AEK Athens.

The numbers suggest they are comfortable on their own turf and capable of protecting a slim advantage.

Shkendija’s task is clear and daunting. The Macedonian champions lost all three of their away matches in the league phase, scoring no goals.

That statistic alone underlines the scale of the challenge.

They scraped into the playoff round after finishing 22nd with two wins, one draw and three defeats, progressing only on goal difference. Yet domestic momentum offers encouragement.

The Ballists have won five straight league matches, including all three played in 2026.

Arbin Zejnullai’s 89th-minute winner at the weekend served as an immediate response to the first-leg setback.

It restored belief and handed coach Jeton Beqiri fresh hope that his side can produce something historic in their first appearance in the main draw of a major UEFA competition.

Team news may tilt the balance further toward the hosts. Samsunspor remain stretched by injuries. Bedirhan Cetin and Tanguy Coulibaly are sidelined with knee problems.

Afonso Sousa is still recovering from an ankle issue, while Emre Kilinc is out with a calf tear. Tahsin Bulbul and Elayis Tavsan are also expected to miss out.

Shkendija, by contrast, arrive close to full strength. Liridon Latifi and Aleksander Trumci return from suspension after missing the first leg, giving Beqiri additional options.

Veteran striker Besart Ibraimi, still searching for his first goal in this season’s competition, is set to lead the line as the visitors chase a turnaround.

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Manchester United opened the doors of Old Trafford on Tuesday evening for a historic Ramadan Iftar, blending faith, football, and community under the floodlights of one of English football’s most iconic stadiums.

Organised by the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) in partnership with the club, the event welcomed around 80 fans selected via ballot, along with special guests, marking a significant step in the club’s inclusivity efforts.

The 2026 Iftar was particularly historic: for the first time ever, the Adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, echoed across the stands.

Fans broke their fast as the Adhan rang out, followed by Qur’an recitations and communal prayers led by English Qur’an reciter Ibrahim Idris.

Among the attendees was Moroccan international defender Noussair Mazraoui, who joined United from Bayern Munich in 2024 and has openly observed Ramadan while fulfilling his professional duties.

Mazraoui’s presence underlined the club’s commitment to supporting both players and fans of all faiths.

Manchester United academy coach Imran Hamid, a UEFA B Licence holder and Premier League “No Room For Racism” Icon nominee, also attended, inspiring young academy players. Hamid told attendees, “It is a blessing that some first-team players came and shared their experiences. I hope that some of the children here today will one day become first-team players and speak at future events.”

MUMSC President Asif Mahmud described the evening as the realisation of a long-held dream, calling it a milestone for Muslim supporters at one of football’s most famous clubs.

Since its official recognition in August 2024, MUMSC has partnered with Manchester United to promote inclusivity through initiatives including multi-faith prayer rooms at Old Trafford and the Carrington training complex, educational faith sessions for academy players, and previous Iftar gatherings for staff and supporters.

Social media reactions to the Adhan at Old Trafford were overwhelmingly positive, with fans calling the moment “historic,” “surreal,” and “beautiful.” While a few questioned religious observances at a football venue, the event largely stood as a celebration of unity, diversity, and shared values.

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