Sports

A fan waves a Pride flag before the game between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field on June 3, 2023, in Seattle, Washington.

Culture

FIFA rejects Egypt, Iran objections, allows Pride flags at World Cup match

The Egyptian and Iranian football bodies previously raised objections over the match to FIFA.

Germany's forward #26 Deniz Undav (2nd R), an ethnic Kurd, scores his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Ivory Coast at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 20, 2026.

Culture

Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup

Kurdish players and clubs are making rare global gains on football’s biggest stage, offering a brief lift amid ongoing political setbacks across the region.

Hossam Hassan, the head coach of Egypt, celebrates after the 3-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between New Zealand and Egypt at BC Place Vancouver on June 21, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Culture

Egyptians hail first-ever World Cup win as Tunisia, Turkey exit

Egypt had never won a match at the tournament prior to Sunday's victory, despite previously qualifying for the World Cup in 1934, 1990 and 2018.

Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco shoots and misses a chance against Gabriel Magalhaes #3 of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Culture

Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams

Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener.

Latest News

Feature

Turkey’s World Cup return clouded by politics, dawn kickoffs

Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Culture

World Cup opens amid visa disputes for Iran, Iraq and Somalia

Members of the Iranian national soccer team including midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh (R) arrive at Tijuana International Airport on June 7, 2026, in Tijuana, Mexico.

Culture

10 MENA teams at 2026 World Cup: Morocco eyes title, Iran faces visa hurdles

Morocco's midfielder Azzedine Ounahi celebrates scoring with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E African qualification football match between Morocco and Niger at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on September 5, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

What LIV Golf’s woes suggest about Saudi Arabia’s economic headwinds

Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC plays his shot from the 17th tee prior to LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 15, 2026, in Mexico City.

First Mohamed to play for Jerusalem soccer team results in racist reaction

The decision by Beitar Jerusalem owner Moshe Hogeg to hire Ali Mohamed to play for the team unleashed all the team’s racist demons, particularly among La Familia, the team’s infamously far-right fan club.

A Qatari player competes in the E-sports competition at the 2nd Asian Indoor Games in Macau, 27 October 2007. Featuring such unusual events as video games, chess and dance sport, the tournament, now in its second edition, aims to fill the gap left by the Olympics or the Asian Games. AFP PHOTO/Ted ALJIBE (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images)

Growing esports market has huge potential in Mideast

The video gaming industry is gaining ground in the Middle East, as its popularity and prize money continue to grow.

Lebanese mountaineer speaks up for women, children from Everest summit

Joyce Azzam became the first Lebanese woman to complete the Seven Summits challenge by climbing Mount Everest, and now she's going back to clean it up and set an example for others.

Arrest of Ultras members casts pall on Afcon 2019

As Egypt prepares to host Afcon 2019, the government is taking stringent measures to control access to the games and ensure there is no repeat of the violent confrontations that have taken place in recent years.

Soccer Football - African Nations Cup Qualifier - Egypt v Tunisia - Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt - November 16, 2018 Egypt fans cheer their team REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RC1EEB11E250

Egypt’s soccer fans call foul on Africa Cup tickets

Several Egyptian activists on social media, sports critics and public figures have rallied against the ticket prices of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt's camel racing shifts into high gear

The Egyptian government seeks to modernize camel racing by establishing a new international racetrack and opting for robot jockeys.

Egypt's first female polo team rides to victory

Farah Awadalla, the daughter of one of Egypt's best-known polo players, has started her own all-female team in Cairo.

Iraq's pigeon breeders get ahead in international game

Iraq's pigeon breeders, once disdained, are making a name for themselves in international competitions, as well as profiting off the sales of birds in auctions.

Iranian boxer Sadaf Khadem in action against French boxer Anne Chauvin during an official boxing bout in Royan, France, April 13, 2019. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC131CD9CE10

Did female Iranian boxer fight for championship or asylum in France?

Boxer Sadaf Khadem made history as the first Iranian woman to win an international match, but her choice to compete without hijab may prevent her from going back home.

Tehran cop standing up to celeb raises debate on privilege, rule of law

A controversial incident involving a former Iranian soccer player who refused to abide by traffic laws has ignited furious reactions in Iran against celebrities expecting special favors.

7,000 runners expected to join Palestine Marathon's seventh race

Since 2013, the Palestine Marathon has been an eloquent call for freedom of movement in the West Bank.

Jordanian trail-blazer empowers women through kickboxing

Lina Khalifeh began learning martial arts for fun, but helping a friend showed her it can do much more.