Sports

Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco shoots and misses a chance against Gabriel Magalhaes #3 of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Culture

Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams

Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener.

Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images

Feature

Turkey’s World Cup return clouded by politics, dawn kickoffs

Turkey finally has the World Cup moment it waited 24 years for, but much of the country will either be asleep for it or arguing over efforts to claim it.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Members of the Iranian national soccer team including midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh (R) arrive at Tijuana International Airport on June 7, 2026, in Tijuana, Mexico.

Culture

World Cup opens amid visa disputes for Iran, Iraq and Somalia

Iran says a number of team staff were denied entry into the US, with Trump administration officials touting efforts to prevent affiliates of designated terrorist groups from entering.

Morocco's midfielder Azzedine Ounahi celebrates scoring with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E African qualification football match between Morocco and Niger at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on September 5, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

Culture

10 MENA teams at 2026 World Cup: Morocco eyes title, Iran faces visa hurdles

Jordan is competing in its first World Cup, while Iraq is making only its second appearance, as teams from the region seek to advance against European and Latin American powerhouses.

Latest News

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

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.

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

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.

Culture

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

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)

Analysis

Saudi Arabia downsizes megaprojects, chases cash amid AI push

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

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel , Jack Dutton

Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C41 Ferrari during the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom on Sept. 26, 2021.

Qatar to host first Formula 1 Grand Prix in November

The Gulf country, which will make its Formula 1 debut in November, also inked a 10-year hosting deal.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Arab-Israeli soccer player booed by Jewish soccer fans

Despite the goals he scored against Faroe Islands and Austria, Israeli-Jewish soccer fans booed Israeli-Arab player Moanes Dabbur.

This picture shows empty stands prior to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations soccer match between Senegal and Algeria at the June 30 Stadium, Cairo, Egypt, June 27, 2019.

Will Egypt, Saudi Arabia co-host 2030 World Cup?

Saudi and Egyptian media have been circulating reports about a joint Saudi-Egyptian plan to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Zahra Nemati of Team Iran celebrates her gold medal in the Women's Individual Recurve gold final on day 9 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Yumenoshima Park Archery Field, Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 2, 2021.

Iranians set records at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

Iran is currently leading Middle Eastern states in medals won at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Scott Behrens dives for the ball during a friendly game of volleyball with friends in the snow Jan. 25, 2016 in Washington, DC.

Dubai to host region's first snow volleyball tournament

With the four-day tournament, Dubai is hoping to bolster its reputation as a destination for snow sports enthusiasts.

United Arab Emirates

Iran's Amir Khosravani competes in the men's long jump (T12) final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 30, 2021.

Iran strikes gold at Paralympics

Iranian athletes are currently atop the Middle East in medals won at the international sporting competition for disabled athletes, and one could soon make history in women's archery.

Iyad Shalabi of Team Israel celebrates winning the Men's 100m Backstroke - S1 final on day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Center, Japan, Aug. 25, 2021.

First Arab-Israeli athlete to win gold medal in Paralympic Games

The recognition and congratulations by Israeli Jewish politicians over the achievement of swimmer Iyad Shalabi reflect societal changes that were long overdue.

Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Disabled Gazans compete in basketball tournament

Disabled Gazan basketball players are competing in a fifth annual tournament put on by the Palestinian Paralympic Committee and other organizations.

Displaced Syrian children run with a cutout of horseheads during the so-called "Camp Olympics 2020."

Displaced Syrian children take part in alternative Olympics camp

A local rights organization in northern Syria held an Olympics competition for children living in the displaced camps across the area, in conjunction with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Gold medalist Feryal Abdelaziz of Team Egypt poses with the gold medal for the Women’s Karate Kumite +61kg on day 15 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 7, 2021.

Egypt’s sports authorities under fire over Tokyo games

Although Egypt received six medals in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the first time in years, sports authorities in the country were criticized due to players’ complaints about inappropriate training.

Turkey's Zehra Gunes (C) and Ebrar Karakurt (R) attempt to block a shot in the women's quarter-final volleyball match between South Korea and Turkey during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2021.

Turks rally around Olympic volleyball star attacked over sexuality

When a member of Turkey's Olympic volleyball team faced online abuse after posting intimate photos of herself with a woman on Instagram, Turks of all stripes spoke up in her defense.

Zachary Weiss #44 of Team Israel pitches in the ninth inning against Team Dominican Republic during the knockout stage of men's baseball on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on Aug. 3, 2021 in Yokohama, Japan.

Despite loss, Israel’s Olympic baseball team wins big in Tokyo

The Israeli baseball team brought home no medals, but still made history by qualifying for the Olympic games and gaining visibility.