Sports

Saudis celebrate World Cup announcement

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.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 11: A drone show is seen displaying the words "Welcome to Saudi 34" as Saudi Arabia is announced as the host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2034 on December 11, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Christophe Viseux/Getty Images for Saudi Arabian Football Federation)

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.

Dania Akeel

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.

Neymar

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

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Dutch, French leaders denounce attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam

JEROEN JUMELET/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

What’s behind firing of Robert Saleh, NFL’s first Muslim, Lebanese head coach?

Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets looks on against the Denver Broncos during the first half at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur drops out of 2024 tennis circuit

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Trial opens in London for UAE-backed Manchester City: What we know

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United Arab Emirates

Man Utd 1

Jim Ratcliffe revises Manchester United bid as Qatar's offer is considered

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, a Qatari banker and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, is the only other party to have publicly stated that they are trying to buy the British soccer club.

Turkey's team players celebrate their victory.

Turkey's women's volleyball team receives hero's welcome after European title win

Turkey's Sultans win the European women's volleyball championship. The victory coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.

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Saudi sovereign wealth fund invests in US mixed martial arts league

The new area of sports investment follows major Saudi investments in golf and soccer.

ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal lures Neymar from PSG in $98m deal

The transfer will complete once the Brazilian forward has done a medical check and all necessary paperwork, the BBC reported.

Harry Maguire

Manchester United expected to close $9.15B sale to Qatari royal

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Jim Ratcliffe, CEO of UK-based petrochemicals company INEOS, have been competing to buy the soccer team.

COLIN MURTY/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: August 3, 2023, 10:37 am

Morocco makes history, advances at Women’s World Cup

The Atlas Lionesses are the first team from the Arab World to play in the soccer tournament.

France's forward Kylian Mbappe kicks the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 group B qualification football match between France and Greece at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, in the northern outskirts of Paris, on June 19, 2023. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe declines Saudi meeting to discuss record $333 million transfer

A report from L'Equipe newspaper said that the French captain never considered a move to Saudi Arabia.

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Clermont Foot at Parc des Princes, Paris, France, June 3, 2023.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal makes record $332 million bid for soccer star Mbappe

Mbappe’s current club Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that the formal offer for its player took place.

Valentina Cernoia of Italy competes for the ball with Fatima Gharbi of Morocco during the Women´s International Friendly match between Italy and Morocco at Stadio Paolo Mazza on July 01, 2023 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Morocco chases history at FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia

The Moroccan women’s team is the first team from the Arab world to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their success follows a historic run by the Moroccan men’s team at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Man Utd

Manchester United takeover ‘paused’ amid Qatari frustration: reports

The club's owners the Glazer family reported they want around 6 billion pounds ($7.72 billion) for the soccer club, but the two bids value Manchester United at around 5 billion pounds.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia stretches to make a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Singles Semi Finals on day eleven of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: July 15, 2023, 12:44 pm

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur falls short at Wimbledon final, loses to Vondrousova

Jabeur, who has a massive following across North Africa and the Middle East, is still seeking her first Grand Slam win after falling short at Wimebledon for the second year in a row.

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur returns the ball to Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka during their women's singles semi-finals tennis match on the eleventh day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 13, 2023. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur stuns Sabalenka, advances to Wimbledon's final

Jabeur is the only Arab and African professional tennis player to make it to a Wimbledon final.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff