Saudi Arabia bets 2034 World Cup will bring foreign investment, reduce reliance on debt Hosting the 2034 World Cup will give fresh impetus to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plans as tournament-linked construction and developments open new investment opportunities. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia wins bid to host 2034 FIFA World Cup: What we know Saudi Arabia has poured billions into developing sporting infrastructure and buying up top global football talent as part of its Vision 2030 diversification strategy. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Dania Akeel’s Baja Cup win inspires Arab women in motorsports The Jeddah-born driver is the first Saudi woman to win that cup and among an increasing number of Arab women drivers to achieve success in the traditionally male-dominated sport in recent years. Saudi Arabia
After Ronaldo, Neymar scores $54 million penthouse in Dubai The Brazilian soccer player is the latest athlete to acquire property in the UAE’s largest city. United Arab Emirates
Erdogan FC: A soccer dream deferred Turkish media recently reported the founding of a soccer team called the Presidency Sports Club, but in less than a day all traces of the team had vanished. It's not likely the end of the story. Turkey
Turkey running out of native soccer players to sing anthem Turkish soccer is facing an invasion of foreign players while failing to train promising locals. Turkey
Stadium gates gradually open for Iranian women Years of campaigning is bearing fruit and victory seems just around the corner for civil and women's rights activists in Iran, who have gone the extra mile in convincing the state to open soccer stadiums to Iranian women. Iran
Qatar scores symbolic victory in soccer win over UAE An unhealthy rivalry between Qatar and the UAE was on display during the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals, with Emirati fans booing the Qatari national anthem and pelting water bottles at the players. United Arab Emirates
Iran’s defeat in Asian Cup sparks heated debate on political culture Iran's national soccer team had to pack its bags and head home from the AFC Asian Cup following their 3-0 defeat against Japan in a match replete with controversial scenes. Iran
Who controls Egypt’s sports scene? The rising monopoly of the Egyptian state-owned advertising and sports marketing agency Presentation Sports over soccer broadcasting rights is raising controversy. Egypt
Afcon soccer tourney gives Egypt chance for glory both on, off field Egypt is getting only a small amount of time to prepare for Afcon 2019, but the major soccer tournament could pay off big time. Egypt
Turkey’s crisis-hit soccer clubs face bitter pills in rescue plan A “rescue” plan is in the making for Turkey’s cash-strapped soccer clubs, but the operation might result in further political control over the soccer industry. Turkey
Uncertainties abound as Iran moves to privatize its two biggest soccer clubs Iran’s Cabinet has given the green light to the privatization of the popular Esteghlal and Persepolis soccer clubs, but from the debts to the losses, the process promises to be rocky at best. Iran
Egyptian authorities go after futsal fields The Egyptian government decided to remove all futsal fields squatting agricultural lands, which raised the ire of the youths whose main outlet is sports. Egypt
Who scored when Iran hand-selected women for historic soccer audience? For some Iranians, the visible female audience at a recent soccer match at Tehran's Azadi stadium was a meaningful win in a long war over allowing women to attend public soccer matches, but others are frustrated at what they consider a publicity stunt. Iran
The politics behind Iranian women's entry to Azadi stadium Iranian women were allowed into Tehran’s Azadi Stadium last week to watch a high-profile soccer match live. A lot of politics were at play to make that happen. Iran
