Sports

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

Culture

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

The postponement is a blow for the kingdom, which has made growing its esports sector one of the main priorities under its Vision 2030.

Flags of Spain and Argentina

Culture

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

Governments and fans alike have turned teams and players into symbols of political division.

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.

Culture

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

After the loss in the semifinals, French-Algerian football star Zinedine Zidane will replace the retiring Didier Deschamps as coach of Les Bleus.

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)

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

Following the loss, no Arab or African teams remain in the tournament.

Latest News

Culture

'We have been cheated': Egypt slams FIFA after loss to Argentina

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina competes for the ball against Ramy Rabia #5 of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Egypt loses to Argentina 3-2, bows out of World Cup after historic run

Egypt

Culture

Egypt, Morocco, Algeria make World Cup history in knockout stage

Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Morocco upsets Netherlands to reach World Cup round of 16

Morocco's defender #14 Issa Diop (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026.

Zach LaVine (#8) of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a layup against Daniel Gafford (#21) of the Washington Wizards.

Analysis

After Saudi golf merger, will Qatar’s entry into NBA change US sports?

The Qatari Investment Authority’s bid to purchase stakes in Washington’s professional basketball and hockey teams could boost Qatar’s image and influence in the United States and coincides with similar moves by Saudi Arabia.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Man United Man City

Qatari royal could be overpaying by $3.16B for Manchester United

The sale has reportedly been delayed because of disagreements between the six siblings of the Glazer family, the current owners of the British soccer club.

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Bayern Munich, Qatar Airways end sponsorship deal after fan pressure

Fans of the German soccer champions have long-criticized the deal over concerns of Qatar's alleged human rights violations.

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 15: A man looks out over the Doha skyline on The Corniche during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on December 15, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Doha, Dubai ranked world’s top two cities for competitive job markets

The United Arab Emirates was the only country to have two cities on the top 10 list with both Dubai and the country’s capital Abu Dhabi at fifth.

Bradley Beal, #3 of the Washington Wizards, drives around Jared Rhoden, #8 of the Detroit Pistons.

Qatar to buy stake in Washington Wizards, Capitals: reports

The move follows the National Basketball Association allowing sovereign wealth funds to invest in teams and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund merging its LIV Golf league with the PGA Tour, demonstrating Gulf investors' interest in US sports.

N'Golo Kante

N’golo Kante transfers to Saudi’s Al-Ittihad, soccer club confirms

The 32-year-old Frenchman’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of June and he will join the Saudi side after on a three-year contract.

Justin Rose of England and his caddy look on.

US Justice Department investigating Saudi LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger: reports

The revelation follows action taken by some members of Congress in response to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund-backed golf league’s deal with the US-based PGA Tour.

Ngolo Kante

Saudi soccer team secures N’Golo Kante move from Chelsea

The transfer would mark an increasing Saudi influence in the world of sport, with Al-Ittihad recently buying French superstar Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (C) and Manchester City's English defender Kyle Walker (R) compete during the English FA Cup final football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatari royal’s Manchester United takeover to be announced ‘soon’: report

Al-Watan paper, which is owned by Jassim’s father Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, reported late Sunday that the Qatari bid for the Red Devils had been successful.

A general view of the clubhouse during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - DC at Trump National Golf Club, Sterling, Virginia, May 27, 2023.

Analysis

Saudi-funded LIV Golf merger with PGA Tour changes US sports landscape

The Saudi Public Investment Fund now holds a major stake in a US sports competition, leading to both economic and political ramifications. Criticism of the Saudi investment in professional golf is continuing, including in Congress.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A Saudi fan holds a scarf with portraits of King Salman (L) and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Analysis

What MBS' latest sports reforms mean for soccer in Saudi Arabia

Talk of privatization of the sports sector is nothing new in the kingdom, but experts believe the changes might help the Saudi Pro League lure in more big names.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia's Pro League

Reports emerged this week that the 35-year-old French striker was offered a two-year contract worth €400 million to move to the Saudi Pro League's Al Ittihad.