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.

The safety car drives in front of Red Bull Racing's Mexican driver Sergio Perez (L) during the Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on March 19, 2023. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia inks 14 deals at Jeddah Grand Prix in boost to sports industry

The agreements were part of a comprehensive sponsorship program hosted by Invest Saudi, the kingdom’s investment promotion entity. The value of the deals was not disclosed.

Qatar's Emir and Paris Saint-Germain owner Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (C) looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 6, 2019. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar's Manchester United takeover could monetize new Mideast fan base

A Qatari takeover of the English soccer club would “turbocharge” the global presence of the English Premier League, analysts told Al-Monitor

Water bottles, knives and other objects are thrown on the pitch in the Bursa Timsah Arena in Turkey.

Anti-Kurdish racism stains soccer pitch in western Turkey

The attacks raised the specter of inter-communal violence ahead of watershed elections that are due to be held on May 14

A general view of the 18th hole during the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok.

Culture

Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf begins second season in Mexico

The Saudi sovereign wealth fund-backed league's 2023 season will include three events at Trump golf courses as the legal battle with the rival PGA Tour heats up.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates an own goal by Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona (not pictured), Manchester United's second goal during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg one match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at Spotify Camp Nou on February 16, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Culture

Qatar, Saudi investors bidding to buy Manchester United

Investment in sports is a major part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy, and Qatar has soccer ambitions of its own after hosting the World Cup.

Saudi women's soccer team celebrates their win at the Women’s International Friendly Tournament in January.

Culture

Once-banned, Saudi women's soccer team wins big as Riyadh woos FIFA

A Saudi women's soccer team that was unthinkable a decade ago is now winning championships, but Australia and New Zealand have lodged a complaint to FIFA over the kingdom's reported sponsorship of upcoming tournament.

HUSSEIN FALEH/AFP via Getty Images

Iraq's soccer team celebrates with militia leaders after Gulf Cup victory

The team held up a photo of militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed by a US drone strike in 2020.

Messi

Culture

Report: Messi not signing with Saudis, but kingdom wants him

The Argentine soccer star recently visited Saudi Arabia to play in an exhibition against Cristiano Ronaldo’s new Saudi club, Al Nassr. Messi also met an influential Muslim cleric during the trip.

Iraq's midfielder Ibrahim Bayesh (L) reacts after scoring during the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup final football match between Iraq and Oman at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq's southern city on January 19, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Iraq wins 'Arabian Gulf' Cup championship defeating Oman in Basra

Iraq defeated Oman 3-2 in the historic match in Basra, leading to celebrations throughout the country.

Palestinian female soccer players are seen before a qualifying match against Thailand for the Asian Women Football Cup, al-Ram, West Bank, April 3, 2017.

Culture

Palestinian female referee prepares for FIFA Women’s World Cup

Heba Saadia has been selected as the Palestine's first referee to officiate the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 matches.

LIV golf

Culture

Explainer: Saudi-funded LIV Golf’s legal battle with PGA

LIV Golf is accused of tracking 9/11 victims who have been protesting the breakaway league. The leader of 9/11 Justice called the accusation “bone-chilling,” and LIV has yet to comment.

ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images

Despite loss, Saudi Arabia scores big at World Cup

In Qatar, a sprawling 18,000 square-meter Saudi House — a large exhibition pavilion erected on Doha’s waterfront — seems to flex the kingdom’s soft-power muscles, as Saudi tries to shake off its ultra-conservative image.