Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Motor racing-F1 reserve Hulkenberg to test with McLaren’s IndyCar team

German former Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg will get a first taste of IndyCar with a one-off evaluation test for Arrow McLaren SP at Alabama’s Barber Motorsports Park on Monday, the team said in a statement. The 34-year-old is currently reserve driver for the Aston Martin F1 team, who will be racing in Austin, Texas, at the weekend.

Golf-Olympic gold medallist Schauffele pumped for Zozo Championship in Japan

American Xander Schauffele returns this week for the Zozo Championship in Japan nearly two and half months after winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Games and the 27-year-old said he is looking to grab a “special” victory at the PGA Tour event. The tournament returns to Japan at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on Thursday after last year’s edition was moved to California due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Motor racing-Andretti entering F1 would be a logical move, says Stroll

U.S.-based Andretti Autosport would be a great addition to Formula One if reported takeover talks with Sauber come to fruition, according to Aston Martin’s billionaire Canadian owner Lawrence Stroll. Swiss-based Sauber run the Alfa Romeo team and there is mounting speculation that Michael Andretti, a former grand prix racer and son of 1978 champion Mario, is close to a deal.

Soccer-UAE to host Club World Cup in early 2022

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host this season’s Club World Cup in early 2022, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday. Japan was originally scheduled to stage the tournament in December this year but withdrew last month due to the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Soccer-Double Super Bowl winner Jenkins makes minority investment in Burnley

Two-times Super Bowl winner Malcolm Jenkins has acquired a minority stake in Burnley following their takeover by American firm ALK Capital last year, the Premier League club said in a statement https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/nfl-star-invests-in-burnley-fc on Wednesday. Burnley said that the 33-year-old American, who plays for National Football League (NFL) side New Orleans Saints, was a part of ALK Capital which acquired an 84% stake in Burnley in December.

Tennis-Djokovic will need to be vaccinated to play Australian Open: minister

Novak Djokovic will not be able to enter Australia to defend his Australian Open title unless he is fully vaccinated for COVID-19, the country’s immigration minister said on Wednesday, putting the Serb’s Grand Slam record bid in doubt. World number one Djokovic, who is level with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal on 20 Grand Slam titles, has declined to reveal his vaccination status, and said he is unsure if he will defend his Australian Open crown.

NHL roundup: Wild earn wild OT win over Jets

Joel Eriksson Ek’s overtime winner completed his hat trick and Mats Zuccarello scored twice and added two assists to lead the Minnesota Wild to an incredible 6-5 comeback victory over the Winnipeg Jets in their home opener on Tuesday in Saint Paul, Minn. Marcus Foligno also scored for the Wild, who have won three straight to start the season. Goalie Cam Talbot stopped 25 shots. Minnesota erased four deficits, including a two-goal hole in the final five minutes of the third period, to force overtime.

Olympics-Beijing lights flame, to be first city to host summer, winter games

China lit its Olympic flame in Beijing on Wednesday after the ceremonial torch arrived from Athens, ahead of the Chinese capital’s hosting of the 2022 Winter Games in February. The Winter Games will be held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20, when Beijing will become the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics, amid a COVID-19 pandemic that means overseas spectators will be excluded.

Rugby-United States launch campaign to host men’s and women’s World Cups

The United States on Wednesday officially launched its campaign to host an upcoming men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup as part of an effort to expand North American interest and participation in the sport for generations to come. The United States, which was approved as a bid candidate in June, is looking to host the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 or 2031 and the women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029.

Ailing Brazilian soccer great Pele says he is getting ‘closer to the goal’

Former Brazilian soccer player Pele, not long out of the hospital after surgery to remove a tumour, told fans on Wednesday to start celebrating his life because he was getting “closer to the goal.” “I suggest you start to catch your breath to celebrate with me, because with each passing day I get closer to the goal,” Pele wrote on Twitter.

(With inputs from agencies.)