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...
‘Number one’ Joshua defeats Ngannou with brutal second-round KO
Joshua, a former unified WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, went into the fight on the back of three successive...
Geostrategy
Egypt, Greece, Saudi in talks to jointly host 2030 World Cup
Egypt, Greece and Saudi Arabia are in talks to jointly host the 2030 World Cup football tournament, an Egyptian official...
- "The three countries are working flat out" and "the application to organise (the 2030 World Cup) is being studied", said Egyptian sports ministry spokesman Mohammed Fawzi.
- A source at Greece's Hellenic Football Federation confirmed to AFP in Athens that the three countries were holding discussions about a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Business
UAE to allow multiple-entry visas for Qatar World Cup fans
The facility will be available for the holders of the "Hayya" card issued by FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which...
- Qatar has a population of 2.8 million and it tries to accommodate an expected 1.2 million. Saudi Arabia also has announced multiple-entry visas for fans.
- This visa can be extended for another 90 days according to the conditions, procedures and the normal fees followed in the current visa system in the UAE.
Analysis
Most Arab clubs play hard to score financial surplus
Only five football clubs in the region — Al-Fateh, Al-Hilal and Al-Faisali of Saudi Arabia, as well as Morocco's Al-Wydad...
- Only five football clubs in the region — Al-Fateh, Al-Hilal, and Al-Faisali of Saudi Arabia, as well as Morocco's Al-Wydad and Nahdet Berkane —have reported budgetary excess
- Almost all other remaining Arab clubs -- including Al-Nasr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahly -- have posted deficits, according to the latest report 'The Financial East of Arab Clubs'
Business
Qatar World Cup tickets sale to reach 2.5 million soon : FIFA
There are 3,010,679 tickets available altogether, with FIFA saying a "last-minute" sales period will open in the run-up to the...
- World football's governing body FIFA said that 520,532 were sold in the period between July 5 and August 16.
- In June, organizers said there had been "record-breaking" demand for tickets at a time when 1.2 million had been sold.
Economy
Qatar World Cup will be most luxurious yet, says hospitality firm boss
Jaime Byrom, who has sold millions of hotel rooms over 10 World Cups, said wealthy supporters will be flocking to...
- Jaime Byrom, who has sold millions of hotel rooms over 10 World Cups, said wealthy supporters will be flocking to the tiny Gulf state from around the globe
- Packages range from $700 for a top ticket with a slap-up meal, to bills of a million dollars-plus for big groups staying in top hotels and watching several matches
Economy
FIFA officially advances World Cup by a day for Qatar
Football's top officials universally approved the decision, FIFA said in a statement while Qatar said it would give unspecified help...
- Under the new plan, the Group A game between Senegal and the Netherlands has been shifted from 1:00pm (1000 GMT) on November 21 to a 7:00pm start
- Official countdown clocks for the event were quickly changed. and the 100 day countdown to the opening match will now start on Friday, instead of Saturday
Arts & Culture
Qatar World Cup to start a day early to allow host play opening game
The opening match is scheduled to be held at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium, one of seven new venues purpose-built...
- Qatar will now play Ecuador on November 20, 24 hours earlier than planned, in a move that FIFA's ruling council was expected to confirm soon.
- Companies with major deals linked to the World Cup expressed confidence that the unusual schedule change could be handled smoothly.
Business
KSA and Egypt champions to inaugurate Qatar’s World Cup final stadium
Qatar announced Monday that the club champions of Saudi Arabia and Egypt will inaugurate the Lusail stadium to be used...
- The 80,000 capacity gold coloured venue, in the Lusail new city just north of Doha, was the last of the eight World Cup stadiums to be completed
- A test event is to be staged there on August 11 when a Qatar championship match between Al-Arabi SC and Al-Rayyan is held
Business
Doha vows to complete building work before start of World Cup
Building work in Qatar's capital Doha, host of the 2022 World Cup, will be completed "well before the tournament", the...
- The two days seminars will brief the qualified team staff of Qatar World Cup on logistics, security, playing conditions and refereeing
- Representatives of the qualified nations can observe the preparation of stadiums for FIFA 2022 and can also visit training grounds ahead of the tournament's opening
Morocco and Israel face off in women basketball ‘friendly’ game
The Moroccan women's basketball team hosted their Israeli counterparts for the first time on Wednesday in a quiet slice of...
- According to the Israel Basketball Federation (IBBA) website, it was the first time that Arab female players had faced an Israeli national team in their country
- There were no spectators at the invitation only event
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...
Company News
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Arts & Culture
Spanish footballer Veiga to play for Saudi club Al Ahli
Arts & Culture
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Saudi MMA players out to ‘prove themselves’
Arts & Culture
ESports debuts as Asian Games medal event but women left behind
Excited video-game fans thronged a shiny new arena in the Chinese city on Sunday as eSports made its debut at the...
Arts & Culture
Chinese President Xi Jinping declares biggest-ever Asian Games open
Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the 19th Asian Games in a colourful ceremony in Hangzhou, launching a two-week sporting extravaganza...
Arts & Culture
Afghan wushu fighters defy money woes to pursue Asian Games glory
Afghanistan will compete in 15 sports in Hangzhou, the country's first Asian Games since the Taliban seized power in 2021....
Business
Most Read
Ronaldo helps Al Nassr to historic Asia Cup win in Iran
Ronaldo played a key role in Nassr's opener just after the hour, the Portuguese instigating the move that led to Abdulrahman...
- The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has five UEFA Champions League titles to his name, captained the Saudi Arabian side to an opening three points in Group E
- The match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran was played without fans after the Asian Football Confederation upheld a one-game ban for Persepolis supporters dating back to 2021
New UAE sports law aims for unified governance
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The new UAE sports aims to establish a unified governance framework for all sports organizations and...
- The law allows sports federations to enter into partnerships with institutions, both national and foreign
- It also focuses on identifying and nurturing sporting talents in schools and clubs through national plans in collaboration with relevant authorities
Economy
Neymar and Al Hilal suffer scare in Asian Champions League
Runners-up in last year’s Champions League, Hilal were fortunate not to lose their Group B opener having gone behind on...
- Neymar was making his first start for the record Asian champions having debuted on Friday as a substitute in the Saudi Pro League victory at home to Al Riyadh
- The forward was subjected to some particularly robust treatment from Navbahor, and was incensed just before the hour when he was trod on after being dragged to the ground