Saudi pushes equal pay at launch of women’s tennis finals
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced in April that Riyadh would host the next three editions of the tour finals...
Ten years from home World Cup, Saudi sizes up ‘huge challenge’
As the only bidder, Saudi Arabia was anointed host of the 2034 World Cup last October by FIFA. Infrastructure is...
Business
FIFA World Cup 2022: Third floating hotel arrives at Doha port
MSC Opera will join MSC World Europa and MSC Poesia which arrived at Doha Port earlier, to offer a luxurious...
- MSC Opera will join MSC World Europa and MSC Poesia which arrived at Doha Port earlier, to offer a luxurious hospitality experience to fans of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
- According to the estimates of the MSC Cruises Group, owner of the three floating hotels that will serve the tournament, the capacity of the three cruise ships is 10,000 beds
Arts & Culture
There won’t be another World Cup like Qatar 2022
Few countries could have afforded the $200 billion-plus bill that the tiny but super-wealthy emirate has paid for its spectacular...
- The World Cup has become such an expensive and controversial behemoth that FIFA may struggle to find a single country ready to shoulder the task of hosting.
- The tournament is expanding to 48 teams when the circus moves to the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Economy
Qatar issues licenses to 3500 holiday homes to house World Cup visitors
Qatar faces the challenge to accommodate 1.2 million fans expected to attend the FIFA World Cup.
- Qatar faces the challenge to accommodate 1.2 million fans expected to attend the FIFA World Cup
- More than 160 round-trip flights are scheduled daily from neighbouring Gulf countries to allow them to accommodate supporters
Business
‘Ambush marketing’ may spoil the game as businesses across GCC get ready to gain from Qatar World Cup
As the world gears up for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, the positive ripple effect is being felt...
- As the world gears up for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, the positive ripple effect is being felt in the business fraternity across the Gulf region, especially in the UAE
- The mega sporting event is set to benefit almost every sector of the regional economies with tourism, hospitality, F&B, retail, real estate and entertainment gaining the most
Economy
Travel-weary Saudi superfan awaits World Cup at ‘home’
Saudi officials are putting on 240 weekly flights linking the kingdom to Qatar, up from six normally, and easing overland...
- This year's World Cup in neighboring Qatar, by contrast, has the feel of a home game for Saudi fans as Doha is a mere two-hour flight from Jeddah
- Turkistani, a Saudi fan is ready to welcome his other fellow citizens in Doha, having stocked up on green-and-white t-shirts, plastic blowhorns, drums and balloons to distribute
Geostrategy
Macron says ‘must not politicize sport’ ahead of Qatar World Cup
"I think we must not politicize sport," said Macron, whose national team is defending the title they won in Russia...
- French president, who will go to Qatar if France reach the semi-finals, said it was "a very bad idea to politicize sport."
- France begin their defense of the World Cup trophy against Australia on Tuesday before also playing Denmark and Tunisia
Iran’s players free to express themselves at World Cup: Queiroz
"You guys are used to bending your knees in the games. Some people agree, some people don’t agree with that....
- The country's players are being watched closely in Qatar for signs that they support the demonstrations
- Coach Carlos Queiroz compared the situation to players in England taking the knee in anti-racism protests
Business
Qatar World Cup countdown enters final week as teams arrive
The countdown to the World Cup in Qatar has begun as the first such tournament held on the Arab soil...
- Domestic leagues will pause for six weeks to allow the tournament to take place, but preparation time is short
- Qatar, a country of barely three million people, one of the world's biggest producers of natural gas, has spent lavishly as FIFA World Cup
Geostrategy
Racism or Arab Bias? Western media’s heartburn over FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Even as serious rights violations -- including corruption, human trafficking, racism and discrimination -- persist across Europe and US, Western...
- Even as serious rights violations -- including corruption, human trafficking, racism and discrimination -- persist across Europe and US, Western world opts to focus on Qatar
- European nations project themselves as guardians of humanity and take great pride in sermonizing to others but do not do much to fix flaws in their own backyards
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia to host Under-21 World Snooker Championship in 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- --Saudi Arabia will host the World Under-21 Snooker Championship for men and women in July 2023, SPA...
- International Billiards and Snooker Federation has also agreed in principle to host the World Cup for Billiard and Snooker for men and women in Oct. 2024 for six balls and masters.
- Hosting the championship is the kingdom's one more step towards the development and promotion of the sports sector in its pursuit to achieve the Saudi Vision 2030 goals.
Saudi pushes equal pay at launch of women’s tennis finals
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced in April that Riyadh would host the next three editions of the tour finals...
Company News
Sports shift economic goalposts for Middle East
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Saudi set to host FIFA World Cup 2034 in either summer or winter
Despite summer temperatures touching 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in the major cities, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser al-Misehal...
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia emerges as only bidder for 2034 World Cup
The Saudi bid comes one year after neighboring Qatar hosted the first World Cup in the Middle East, where the...
Business
Al Hilal ranks among world’s 50 wealthiest clubs
European clubs owned by Arabs continue to dominate the rankings, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed-owned Manchester City standing at the...
Business
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Arts & Culture
Esports scores big for Saudi economy, culture & jobs
The Kingdom, with its passion for sports and tech, is set to reshape the competitive gaming landscape by hosting the...
- The Kingdom, with its passion for sports and tech, is set to reshape the competitive gaming landscape by hosting the world's premier Electronic Sports World Cup from 2024.
- By 2030, Esports is set to add US$13.3bn to Saudi GDP, with 67% of Saudis into electronic gaming, potentially creating 39,000 jobs, and producing 30 world-class games.
Geostrategy
No suspension for Mazraoui over Gaza post, says Bayern Munich
Berlin, Germany - Bayern Munich on Friday said defender Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended, after a probe into the Moroccan...
- In the wake of the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas, Mazraoui had put up several pro-Palestinian posts.
- The club's chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said Mazraoui "credibly assured us he rejects terror and war" .
Economy
Indonesia backs Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid
Last week, Indonesian FA president Erick Thohir had said the country was in talks with Australia for a possible joint 2034...
- "Indonesia supports Saudi Arabia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034," Indonesian FA president Erick Thohir said in a statement on Wednesday
- Thohir said last week that his scrapped joint bid proposal with Australia could also have involved games in New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore