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.

Belgium's supporters with a banner to ask for protection of migrant workers' rights in Qatar.

World Cup migrant workers still detained in Qatar: report

The Guardian has confirmed that three migrant workers from Pakistan and India arrested in January after their World Cup-related contracts were terminated remain in detention to this day.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Raqqa’s first ever girls’ soccer team poses outside a pitch funded by Norwegian donors, April 25, 2023.

Syrian girls play soccer among ghosts of Islamic State

Raqqa's first-ever girls' soccer team is blooming where Islamic State once terrorized the society.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United battles for possession with Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on May 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim awaits Manchester United decision as West Ham rumors swirl

A report by El Pais linked the Qatari royal to the east London-based team.

Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United scores the team's second goal whilst under pressure from Nelson Semedo of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on May 13, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Qatari royal submits last-ditch $6.2 billion offer for Manchester United

The updated offer, submitted Tuesday, is believed to be close to £5 billion ($6.2 billion) but shy of the current owners’ £6 billion ($7.4 billion) valuation for the soccer club.

Lionel Messi Argentina

FC Barcelona 'hugely confident' on Messi return despite Saudi bid

The Catalonian soccer team are in a tug-of-war with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal to snap up the 2022 World Cup winner.

Lionel Messi PSG

Lionel Messi move to Saudi Arabia from PSG 'a done deal': Report

Jorge Messi said the decision on a transfer of the 2022 World Cup winner will not be taken until the end of the season.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/05/turkeys-erdogan-indicates-refusal-hand-over-power-event-election-loss

Cristiano Ronaldo world’s highest paid athlete at $136 million

Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2023 list of the highest grossing athletes playing soccer in Saudi Arabia, which also gave tens of millions of dollars in upfront guarantees to top earners Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on April 30, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Qatari royal to invest $1bn more in Manchester United bid: report

Despite the sweetened offer from the Qatari banker, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be the favorite to buy the English soccer club, according to reports.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Cristiano Ronaldo disappoints as Saudi Al Nassr loses King Cup

Ronaldo is the biggest player to ever play in Saudi Arabia, but his tenure in the kingdom has been disappointing to some fans.

Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial (L) competes for the ball in the Forest goalmouth during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on April 16, 2023. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / AFP) /

Qatar's Sheikh Jassim still confident in Manchester United takeover bid

The son of a former Qatari emir is reportedly still assured that his debt-free bid to take over the soccer club will succeed, despite an ESPN report suggesting that the current owners, the Glazer brothers, will now stay put.

Qatar’s takeover of Manchester United unlikely as Glazers plan to stay put: report

An ESPN report suggests that current owners may want to hold onto the club and try and double its value.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Analysis

Yorkshire cricket club is latest UK team to seek Middle East investment

Experts see a growing trend in Middle Eastern investors wanting to get involved in British sports, as countries in the region diversify their economies.

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