Esports World Cup returns with record-breaking participation, global reach
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia continues to cement its position as a global hub for gaming, esports, and entertainment...
Economy
How are the 2026 World Cup contenders shaping up?
Only eight countries have won the World Cup in 22 editions up to the most recent tournament in Qatar, when...
Arts & Culture
Ronaldo punched but scores twice in Saudi reunion with Messi
Hundreds of millions of euros worth of footballers were on view for the exhibition game in the Saudi capital, which...
- For Qatar-owned PSG, Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scored and Neymar missed a penalty before they withdrew on the hour-mark alongside Ronaldo
- Ronaldo, 37, was decked by PSG 'keeper Keylor Navas's flailing fist but he drilled the resulting penalty and then added another in a 5-4 exhibition defeat
Arts & Culture
One dead, dozens hurt in stampede before Iraq Gulf Cup final, say medics
One person was killed and dozens injured when a stampede broke out outside a football stadium in Iraq hours before...
- Thousands of fans without tickets had gathered outside the stadium in Iraq's Basra in the hope of watching the final between Iraq and Oman.
- Images posted on social media showed a sea of people outside the stadium.
Geostrategy
Morocco change mind over CHAN after Algeria spat
Morocco's FRMF football federation said in a statement earlier Thursday that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had informed it...
- The Moroccan national team will travel to Algeria tomorrow to participate in the CHAN, the foreign ministry said
- Algeria closed its airspace to all Moroccan flights in September 2021, the month after it cut off diplomatic ties with its rival, accusing it of "hostile acts"
Arts & Culture
Iraq apologizes after chaos at regional football tourney
BASRA, IRAQ - Iraq has apologized to its neighbor Kuwait after a scuffle in the VIP section prevented the Kuwaiti emir's...
- Matches are taking place in the city of Basra as war-scarred Iraq hosts the regional event for the first time in over four decades.
- The country was long banned from international football and is counting on the tournament to burnish its image.
Arts & Culture
Ronaldo must serve two-match ban before Al Nassr debut: Official
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia---Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo still needs to serve a two-match English Football Association ban before making his Al Nassr...
- Ronaldo was slapped with the ban in November for hitting a mobile phone out of a teenage fan's hand after Manchester United, his club at the time, lost to Everton.
- Al Nassr has not yet registered Ronaldo because the Saudi club have exceeded their quota for foreign players.
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia gets first female international football referee
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Arabia's first female international referee was appointed by FIFA on Thursday, less than a year after...
- Opportunities have started to open up in women's sport including a women's football league that started in November 2021.
- Saudi Arabia has applied to hold the Women's Asian Cup in 2026 and is the sole bidder for the men's version in 2027.
Arts & Culture
Tearful Brazil bids farewell to its favorite son Pele
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva led the tributes as Brazil said its final farewell to football legend Pele, widely...
- Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele exploded onto the scene at age 15, when he made his professional debut with Santos.
- He went on to win the World Cup three times with Brazil, in 1958, 1962 and 1970 - the only player in history to achieve the feat
Geostrategy
From F1 to CR7, Saudi Arabia’s sports shopping spree
Al Nassr's surprise capture of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest in a string of high-profile sports acquisitions by...
- The 2029 Asian Winter Games will be held at NEOM, an under-construction $500 billion megacity that is planning a year-round winter sports complex.
- Saudi money has created a schism in the golf world with the heavily funded LIV Tour, which has lured some top players.
Ronaldo arrives in Saudi Arabia ahead of grand Al Nassr unveiling
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United under a cloud after slamming the club in a TV interview, will appear at Al...
- The 37-year-old, a five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, touched down in the capital late on Monday, according to Al Ekhbariya state run TV
- The latest, and possibly final, chapter in an illustrious career comes weeks after Portugal's quarter-final exit from the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar
Geostrategy
Iran arrests footballers at mixed-gender party, say media reports
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iranian authorities have arrested football players who attended a mixed party east of Tehran, local media reported Sunday,...
- Iran has been rocked by unrest since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, following her arrest for allegedly violating the dress code.
- Iranian law only permits non-Muslims to consume alcohol for religious purposes. Dancing with the opposite gender is forbidden.
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Esports World Cup returns with record-breaking participation, global reach
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia continues to cement its position as a global hub for gaming, esports, and entertainment...
Economy
Company News
Saudi football dominates Gulf sports scene this year
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Tata Group retains IPL sponsorship rights for record $300m
New Delhi, India - Corporate behemoth Tata Group has again been awarded title sponsorship rights of the Indian Premier League for...
Business
Coach Mancini warns Saudi against taking Kyrgyzstan lightly
Doha, Qatar - Roberto Mancini warned Saudi Arabia against falling victim to the kind of Asian Cup shock suffered by favorites...
Arts & Culture
Saudi Dakar rally 2024 concludes with participation of 778 drivers, co-drivers
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The city of Yanbu witnessed on Friday evening the closing ceremony of the 5th edition of...
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Geostrategy
Turkish club send Israeli player to Maccabi Tel Aviv after Gaza controversy
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Turkish first division club Basaksekir on Thursday sent Israeli midfielder Eden Karzev on loan to Maccabi Tel Aviv following...
- The Istanbul side launched disciplinary proceedings against Eden Karzev after the defensive midfielder shared a message about the hostages..
- The probe came the same day Israeli footballer Sagiv Jehezkel was charged with incitement to hatred for displaying a message on the Gaza war.
Arts & Culture
Afif helps Qatar exorcise World Cup demons at Asian Cup
Doha, Qatar - Asian Cup hosts and holders Qatar have been on a mission to banish the painful memory of their...
- Qatar lost all three of their World Cup games on home soil on their way to a first-round exit just over a year ago, the worst record of any host in the competition's history
- But it's been a different story at the Asian Cup -- albeit after only two games against moderate opposition -- and Tintin Marquez's side are the first to reach the knockout rounds
Business
Saudi Arabia unveils 45,000-seat multi-use stadium in Qiddiya City
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced on Monday the launch of...
- Upon opening, the stadium is anticipated to host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural events.
- It aims to draw visitors from across the globe and revolutionize the traditional stadium experience with its immersive design.