Sports

Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC plays his shot from the 17th tee prior to LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 15, 2026, in Mexico City.

What LIV Golf’s woes suggest about Saudi Arabia’s economic headwinds

The Golf league, which is backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, is saying its season will go on after reports of an imminent collapse.

This photo taken on March 8, 2026 shows Iranian players running towards their positions at the start of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 football match between Iran and the Philippines on the Gold Coast.

Trump praises Australia for aiding Iran women’s soccer team amid asylum calls

Pressure is growing on Australia to allow the athletes to stay after a commentator threatened them over their refusal to sing the national anthem amid the war.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 03: Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trailblazers drives over the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on January 3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Culture

Israeli, Turkish stars named to NBA All-Star World team: What to know

Deni Avdija and Alperen Sengun are making their first appearances in the premier basketball league’s all-star game as the sport’s profile in the Middle East grows.

Aerial view of Riyadh at night with illuminated modern skyscrapers and busy streets under a clear dark sky, Al Olaya street.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia downsizes megaprojects, chases cash amid AI push

After years of breakneck spending, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s flagship plan to diversify the oil-dependent economy — dubbed Vision 2030 — is facing a fresh round of delays and recalibration as softer oil prices squeeze public finances and force tougher choices.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel , Jack Dutton

Latest News

Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - AUGUST 20: In this handout image from Populous, digital renderings of the proposed Stade Hassan II stadium in Morocco, projected to be the largest football stadium in the world with 115,000 capacity are depicted on August 20, 2024 in Casablanca, Morocco. The stadium design is by Populous and Oulalou + Choi (Photo by Populous via Handout/Getty Images)

Iran’s World Cup players face US visa uncertainty over military service: What to know

Iran’s forward #9 Mehdi Taremi looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers Group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025.

Culture

World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time

A fan waves a Pride flag before the soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field, on June 3, 2023, in Seattle, Washington.

Culture

AWSN predicts soaring Saudi Arabia demand for women’s sports apparel

Al Nassr Club were crowned champions of the 2024/25 Saudi Women’s Premier League for the third time, securing the title on April 23, 2025. Credit AWSN

Iranian women, holding national flags, jubilate following their team's victory over Qatar at Doha's al-Gharrafa stadium during their World Cup 2006 qualifying match Oct. 13, 2004.

Culture

Debate on Iranian women’s access to soccer games flares up again

After 2,000 ticket-holding Iranian women were blocked from attending a soccer game in the city of Mashhad, gender inequality in Iran is back in the spotlight.

Phil Mickelson at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Feb. 4, 2022, in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia.

Explainer: the Phil Mickelson-Saudi Arabia golf controversy

Golfer Phil Mickelson called Saudis “scary” in a recently surfaced interview. The fallout exposed a riff in the golf community over a Saudi-funded league that aims to compete with the PGA Tour, which has been criticized for its treatment of players.

Iran's Mohammadreza Abdolhamid Geraei (R) fights against Russia's Nazir Rachidovitch Abdullaev in the 67 kg class final match of the Greco-Roman competition during the 2021 World Wrestling Championships in Oslo, Norway, on Oct. 10, 2021.

Iran wrestling team calls off US match after visas denied

Among those denied a visa was Iran’s Wrestling Federation chief, whose “death to America” remarks had stirred controversy.

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Gulf Air adds more London flights for Bahrain Grand Prix

A record number of people attended Bahrain’s premier Formula One motor racing event in 2019, but attendance dropped dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic amid restrictions.

Saudi men play with the Pokemon Go application on their mobiles in the capital, Riyadh, on July 17, 2016.

Saudi investment fund starts gaming group

The fund, which is headed by the crown prince, will work on developing video game competitions with two European companies.

Surfing in Gaza

VIDEO: Surfing brings risk, pleasure to Gaza

Ruwaida Amer

By Ruwaida Amer

Sudan's Al-Merrikh club fans hold up images of team players as they gather to watch their team play against Congo's AC Leopards during the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final soccer match at the Merreikh Stadium, Khartoum, Sudan, Nov. 10, 2012.

Soccer adds to Egypt-Sudan-Ethiopia tensions

Soccer politics is at play as Sudan's Al-Merrikh Club insists to play its match against Egypt's Al-Ahly in CAF's Champions League in Ethiopia, giving rise to fears in Egypt from possible fan violence.

Syria badminton

Syrian women and girls in Aleppo find new outlet in sports

Many young women in Afrin, northern Aleppo, which is controlled by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) are showing great interest in sports, as opposing social customs and traditions begin to fade.

Eight Egyptian men on trial for doing a video prosecutors claimed was of a gay wedding hide their identities as they sit in the defendant's cage during their trial, Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 1, 2014.

Al-Azhar rhetoric alarms LGBTQ community

Al-Azhar has in recent days stepped up its anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, following anti-gay comments by a prominent retired soccer star.

Lewis Hamilton

British F1 driver Hamilton not 'comfortable' in Saudi Arabia

Lewis Hamilton cited the kingdom's human rights record and 'pretty terrifying' LGBTQ laws before it hosts its first Grand Prix race.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egyptians breathe easy in first open-air gym

Egypt has opened its first open-air gym to encourage citizens to work out in open spaces.

Norwegian journalists

Qatar releases two Norwegian journalists after detention

Qatari security forces detained two journalists working for Norway's state broadcaster whom Doha accused of trespassing on private property.