Sports

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

Culture

FIFA rejects Egypt, Iran objections, allows Pride flags at World Cup match

The Egyptian and Iranian football bodies previously raised objections over the match to FIFA.

Germany's forward #26 Deniz Undav (2nd R), an ethnic Kurd, scores his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Ivory Coast at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 20, 2026.

Culture

Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup

Kurdish players and clubs are making rare global gains on football’s biggest stage, offering a brief lift amid ongoing political setbacks across the region.

Hossam Hassan, the head coach of Egypt, celebrates after the 3-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between New Zealand and Egypt at BC Place Vancouver on June 21, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Culture

Egyptians hail first-ever World Cup win as Tunisia, Turkey exit

Egypt had never won a match at the tournament prior to Sunday's victory, despite previously qualifying for the World Cup in 1934, 1990 and 2018.

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.

Latest News

Feature

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

Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images

Ezgi Akin

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

Culture

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

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

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

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)

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.

Egyptians brace for disappointment as Cairo makes play for 2030 World Cup

Cairo hopes that more professional lobbying and a possible joint bid with Morocco and Tunisia could make Egypt a host of the 2030 World Cup, but many citizens are wary of public embarrassment.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Iran vs Portugal - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 25, 2018 Iran players line up before the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1F71E7CCD0

Iran's national team sees popularity boost, but not just because of World Cup

The siege mentality that is re-emerging with the return of US sanctions appears to have acted to rally Iranians around the national soccer squad.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Iran vs Portugal - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 25, 2018 Iran's Karim Ansarifard celebrates scoring their first goal with Vahid Amiri and Majid Hosseini REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC15E3C90680

Amid economic woes, soccer team performance rallies Iranians around flag

Iran’s national soccer team made history in the World Cup by tying Portugal and defeating Morocco, injecting hope and reviving pride in the midst of economic turmoil.

Egyptian artist portrays soccer stars as saints

Proud Egyptians have been putting the faces of their soccer team on everything from T-shirts to Ramadan lanterns, but when an artist decided to paint them as saints, all hell broke loose.

Why Israelis root for Iran, Morocco in World Cup

With no team of its own competing in the World Cup, Israelis are supporting others from the Middle East regardless of political differences.

Iranian women win big in fight over right to watch soccer games

Iranian women were allowed into Azadi stadium to watch a soccer game alongside men for the first time since the 1979 revolution.

Legendary Iranian soccer player urges consumer boycott to root out ‘thieves’

As consumer prices continue to hit ordinary Iranians hard, a popular former soccer player is leading a consumer boycott on social media in an effort to reduce prices.

Egyptian MPs open Pandora's box on popular soccer team's finances

An exchange of accusations between Saudi soccer boss Turki al-Sheikh and Al-Ahly's board opens Pandora's box on the Egyptian soccer team's donations.

US recognition of Jerusalem backfires on Israel

Argentina's cancellation of a soccer match over the match’s relocation to Jerusalem is a clear sign that most of the world considers large parts of Jerusalem to be occupied land.

A poster of Palestinian FA chief Jibril Rajoub with Argentina's soccer player Lionel Messi is seen during Rajoub's news conference, in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank June 6, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC13B03D01D0

Israeli soccer fans divided over who's to blame for canceled match

Israelis blame anyone they can for the cancellation of Argentina’s national soccer team and its star Lionel Messi’s visit to Israel: the Palestinians, BDS, Minister of Sports Miri Regev.

Egyptian soccer star’s village has mixed feelings about native son

The poor Egyptian village of Nagrig is internationally known for producing the famous soccer player Mo Salah, but its residents feel the benefits to the town haven't lived up to the hype.

Football Soccer - Egypt v Tunisia - International Friendly Match - Cairo Stadium, Egypt - 8/1/17- Team Egypt listens to the national anthem behind an Egyptian national flag ahead of the match. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RC1D261A9970

Egypt eyes World Cup as golden opportunity for economy

After a 28-year absence, Egypt hopes to take advantage of its participation in the 2018 World Cup, hosted by Russia, to achieve some economic gains.