Saudi Arabia submits official bid to host FIFA World Cup 2034 after successful Qatar event in 2022
The next steps include official visits by FIFA and a comprehensive evaluation of the bid.
Economy
Global football stars choose Red Sea destination for holiday
TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA – A few days ago, the Red Sea destination hosted several international football stars from Saudi Pro...
Business
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.
Geostrategy
Tel Aviv-Doha World Cup flights draws criticism from Qatari activists
While Qatar's Gulf neighbours Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates established relations with Israel through agreements mediated by the United...
- The protest led by Qatar Youth Against Normalization was small but noticeable in a state where citizens very rarely speak out against authorities
- Qatar has stated that normalisation with Israel is contingent to the establishment of a Palestinian state
US becomes first World Cup team to arrive in Qatar
An unknown number of players were on a Qatar Airways jet from New York that was among the first flights...
- The United States are playing in the finals for the first time in eight years and will be in one of the most politically-charged games
- The American team are staying at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski on the Pearl, an artificial island north of Doha favored by expatriates
Geostrategy
Qatar Airways official discards ‘rumors’ as airport expansion begins
After the multi-billion dollar overhaul, Hamad International Airport will take its capacity from 40 million passengers a year to 58...
- The expansion adds 39 airport gates to the existing 140 at the airport, which is a major hub for transit passengers.
- Qatar Airways has also eliminated 18 destinations from its schedule to increase flights from key World Cup markets.
Geostrategy
Special World Cup flights to carry Israeli and Palestinian fans: FIFA
A deal was brokered between Qatar and Israel, who do not have diplomatic relations, so that flights are "temporarily operated"...
- More than 10,000 Israeli and Palestinian fans have tickets fan passes. Israel severely restricts access to its main Ben Gurion Airport for residents of the Palestinian territories.
- FIFA said Palestinian access would be "subject to Israel's security requirements and operational capabilities".
Business
Qatar has thousands of World Cup rooms available: Accommodation official
There are at least 25,000 rooms free even during the peak days of the World Cup, expected between November 24...
- For accommodation bookings, neighbouring Saudi Arabia has been the top market, followed by the United States, Mexico, Argentina, India, Britain, Brazil, Canada, Iran and Japan.
- Qatar is the smallest country to hold the World Cup, leaving many foreign fans worrying about prices and the availability of rooms.
Business
Adidas picks new CEO
The new CEO is being given a five-year contract, the firm said.
- Bjorn Gulden, the Norwegian former professional football and handball player will take on the role from January next year
- He has held senior roles at companies including shoe retailer Deichmann and clothing and sports equipment company Helly Hansen.
Videos
Middle East’s sports path to boosting tourism
The Arabian Gulf countries have hosted some of the biggest sporting events during the past decade. The World Cup is...
- Doha and Riyadh have been selected to host the upcoming editions of the Asian Games---Doha in 2030 and Riyadh in 2034.
- The mountain resort of Trojene, which is being developed in Saudi Arabia's futuristic Neom city, will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
Saudi Arabia submits official bid to host FIFA World Cup 2034 after successful Qatar event in 2022
The next steps include official visits by FIFA and a comprehensive evaluation of the bid.
Economy
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Sports shift economic goalposts for Middle East
Arts & Culture
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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