Sports

Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova returns the ball to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their WTA Finals tennis tournament in Riyadh on November 5, 2025. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP via Getty Images)

Explainer

From Six Kings Slam to FIFAe finals, Saudi Arabia's events derailed by war

Some of Saudi Arabia’s flagship events — across sectors including culture, entertainment and sports — have been canceled or postponed following deadly Houthi attacks over the weekend.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Manchester City's Emirati owner and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed

Analysis

How Manchester City fallout tests Gulf’s global investment model

The Premier League’s historic financial misconduct ruling against the Emirati-owned club has sparked a media firestorm and experts say fallout could extend beyond the pitch to impact Gulf investment in sports and other industries.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

LIV Golf

Explainer

After $5B in Saudi backing, what’s next for bankrupt LIV Golf?

Saudi Arabia is likely to focus on hosting key sporting events and developing the esports scene after the failures of LIV Golf.

Barcelona

Culture

In divided Cyprus, FC Barcelona youth camp sparks new dispute: What to know

A planned Barca Academy camp in northern Cyprus has offered more fuel to the controversy over the island’s unresolved divide, rasing tensions over recognition, access and international isolation.

Latest News

Culture

Iran war hits Saudi gaming drive as Esports Nations Cup pushed to 2027

People attend the international esports gamers Next World Forum in Riyadh, Sept. 7, 2022.

Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Flags of Spain and Argentina

Culture

What a Zidane pick to coach France means in post-Deschamps era

Zinedine Zidane, while coach of Real Madrid, attends a press conference on the eve of their FIFA Club World Cup final match against Brazilian Gremio, Abu Dhabi, Dec. 15, 2017.

France ends Morocco’s World Cup run as last Arab and African team standing

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 30: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Russian referendums strain Egypt-Ukraine ties

Egypt denies sending observers to monitor the Russian referendums on illegally annexing four regions in Ukraine.

Sihwan Kim of the US competes in the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf Club on Oct. 14, 2022.

Culture

LIV Golf makes debut in Saudi Arabia

The controversial Saudi-funded tour is also seeking a TV deal as it continues to gain momentum.

Morocco's Btissam Sadini (L) competes against Serbia's Jovana Prekovic in the women's kumite -61kg elimination round of the karate competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 6, 2021.

Culture

Morocco's women martial artists defy cultural stereotypes

Al-Monitor talks to four Moroccan female martial arts athletes about cultural stereotypes and how to inspire and empower future generations of female fighters.

People gather next to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup countdown clock in Doha, on Sept. 12, 2022.

Culture

Egypt to push tourism at Qatar World Cup

Egypt is offering direct flights from Doha to Egyptian cities during the 2022 FIFA World Cup to lure fans and boost tourism.

Culture

Reports: Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf will not receive world ranking points

The controversial tour, which is backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, recently made an alliance with Dubai’s MENA Tour in an effort to enable its players to qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium, Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2022.

Culture

Egypt eyes bid to host 2036 Olympic Games

Egypt hopes to become the first African host of the Olympic Games, relying on support from the president of the International Olympic Committee to stage the global event.

Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz looks on during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match.

Culture

Who is Carlos Queiroz, the man who could be Iran’s coach at the World Cup in Doha?

Iranian state media reported that the veteran Portuguese coach will again lead the Iranian men’s national soccer team in Doha this year. However, the deal may not be complete yet.

An aerial view of Al Thumama stadium at sunset on June 22, 2022, in Doha, Qatar.

FIFA World Cup's economic impact will extend beyond Qatar

GCC states look to take advantage of "fresh opportunities" and Qatar hopes the World Cup will boost its "soft power and add political influence."

Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on July 19, 2019.

Culture

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece launch bid for 2030 World Cup

Media outlets have reported that Egypt, Greece and Saudi Arabia are seeking to submit a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

Charl Schwartzel of South Africa pictured after winning the LIV Golf Invitational at The Centurion Club, St. Albans, England, June 11, 2022.

Culture

Golfers eager to play for Saudi-funded LIV Golf despite human rights concerns

US golf media has been critical of LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. But for many golfers — especially lesser-known ones — the league offers unparalleled financial opportunities.

Ethiopia's midfielder Surafel Dagnachew, defender Ramadan Yusef, forward Getaneh Kebede and midfielder Yehun Endeshaw run on the field during the Group A Africa Cup of Nations 2021 soccer match between Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam, Cameroon, Jan. 17, 2022.

Culture

Soccer defeat against Ethiopia ignites Egyptian anger over Nile dam

The Egyptian national soccer team’s defeat against Ethiopia awakened angry reactions at the political and sporting levels in Egypt, with some associating the victory to Ethiopia’s position on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Tourists pass through a police checkpoint in Istanbul.

IDF allows Israeli athletes to go to Turkey despite travel warning

Five Israeli fencers who still serve in the army were allowed this morning to travel to Turkey for the European Championships despite the severe travel warning issued by Israeli authorities on Monday.