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
McLaren duo in ominous show of force in Saudi final practice
Lando Norris pipped teammate Oscar Piastri in final practice in Jeddah with the McLaren duo streets clear of the chasing...
Economy
Arts & Culture
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...
- Misehal also indicated that Saudi Arabia intends to push ahead and host the tournament alone, without asking its neighbors to hold any games.
- That would make Saudi the first country to organize the newly expanded, 48-team World Cup on its own, after the joint hostings in 2026 and 2030.
Business
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...
- The full bids for 2030 and 2034 will be evaluated by FIFA and put to a vote at two separate congress meetings
- The kingdom made the bid for the 2034 event known on October 4, as soon as the procedure had been launched
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...
- Paris Saint-Germain, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, came in third with a market value of US$1.14 billion
- Newcastle United, owned by Public Investment Fund, is at 11th spot with a market value of $687.57 million
Arts & Culture
Educational institutions are shaping UAE’s tomorrow
"Dubai's schools attract students of various nationalities seeking holistic education. These schools emphasize well-rounded education, with a sports culture enhancing...
- DSC Chairman Sheikh Mansoor emphasizes the role of sports in education for shaping the UAE's future.
- The vitality and joy imbued in young minds through sports hone innate talents and intellects, he adds.
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
Geostrategy
Middle East emerges as a global esports powerhouse
The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by...
- The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by its vast gamer community and strategic investments
- The region's esports growth transcends gaming, with stakeholders from elite teams to media firms collaboratively shaping the region's live entertainment future
Women’s squad seeks its share of Saudi football boom
A FIFA+ documentary released last month tracks how the national team has seized on new freedoms, contrasting the hostility its...
- The Saudi women squad only formed two years ago and entered the FIFA rankings in March, at 171st place
- The eager Saudi players are standard-bearers for broader changes afoot in Saudi Arabia
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia announces bid to host World Cup in 2034
The bid "intends to deliver a world-class tournament and will draw inspiration from Saudi Arabia's ongoing social and economic transformation...
- Sport is a major component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to transforms Saudi Arabia into a tourism and business hub.
- In the coming weeks, the kingdom is set to host the final LIV Golf League tournament of the regular season and a boxing match featuring Anthony Joshua.
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
Company News
Latest News
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
What has gone wrong for Saudi-backed Newcastle?
Despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, Newcastle still had to tread a fine...
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...
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Science
Google’s new AI for corner kick tactics gets Liverpool approval
PARIS, FRANCE – Liverpool football analysts have given their seal of approval to a new artificial intelligence tool from Google that...
- Many clubs across the world already deploy experts to comb through video and data to carefully plan corner kick scenarios ahead of matches.
- Google DeepMind, the AI arm of the US tech giant, also targeted corners for its new TacticAI system in research.
Al Hilal finish off Al Ittihad to ease into Asian Champions League semis
Ittihad's miserable night was summed up in the final minute of normal time, when striker Abderrazak Hamdallah was given a...
- The four-time continental champions, runners-up last year, triumphed in the quarter-final second leg at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
- Hilal will meet Al Ain of the UAE in the last four next month following the 2003 champions' penalty shootout win against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr on Monday
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr dumped out of Asian Champions League quarters
Beaten 1-0 in the first leg in the United Arab Emirates, Ronaldo took the quarter-final to penalties when he held...
- Ronaldo was the only Al Nassr player to score in the shootout as his Saudi side went out 3-1 on penalties, the tie having ended 4-4 on aggregate
- It was a frustrating night for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward, who missed a sitter from three yards with the goal gaping in normal time in Riyadh