Sports

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - AUGUST 20: In this handout image from Populous, digital renderings of the proposed Stade Hassan II stadium in Morocco, projected to be the largest football stadium in the world with 115,000 capacity are depicted on August 20, 2024 in Casablanca, Morocco. The stadium design is by Populous and Oulalou + Choi (Photo by Populous via Handout/Getty Images)

Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades

Shares in SGTM jumped by 10% on Dec. 16 after the construction firm raised roughly $550 million from its IPO, underscoring demand in a market that has featured few new listings in recent years.

Iran’s forward #9 Mehdi Taremi looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers Group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025.

Iran’s World Cup players face US visa uncertainty over military service: What to know

The head of Iran’s soccer body said this week that some players might not receives visa to the US due to their military service.

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

Culture

World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time

Morocco is hoping to build on its historic run in 2022, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others in the region similarly vying to build on recent successes.

Al Nassr Club were crowned champions of the 2024/25 Saudi Women’s Premier League for the third time, securing the title on April 23, 2025. Credit AWSN

Culture

AWSN predicts soaring Saudi Arabia demand for women’s sports apparel

All Women’s Sports Network, a television network founded by Hollywood actor Whoopi Goldberg at the end of 2024, is expected to launch in Saudi Arabia later this month.

Latest News

Lebanon’s citizenship offer for FIFA head sparks debate over equal rights

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Match-fixing probe shakes Turkey's football as referees, executives detained

Leroy Aziz Sane of Galatasaray SK kicks the corner during the match. Galatasaray SK and FK Godo Glimt faced each other at UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3. The match took place in Ali Sami Yen Rams Park Stadium on October 22, 2025. (Photo by Burak Basturk / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by BURAK BASTURK/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

NFL star Antonio Brown extradited from Dubai: What to know

Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a touchdown during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Dec. 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

United Arab Emirates

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans barred from UK soccer game over safety concerns

OPSHOT - Maccabi supporters wave yellow flags next to Israeli flags during the UEFA Europa League, League phase - Matchday 4, football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Johan-Cruijff stadium, in Amsterdam on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Robin van Lonkhuijsen / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Ngolo Kante

Saudi soccer team secures N’Golo Kante move from Chelsea

The transfer would mark an increasing Saudi influence in the world of sport, with Al-Ittihad recently buying French superstar Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (C) and Manchester City's English defender Kyle Walker (R) compete during the English FA Cup final football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatari royal’s Manchester United takeover to be announced ‘soon’: report

Al-Watan paper, which is owned by Jassim’s father Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, reported late Sunday that the Qatari bid for the Red Devils had been successful.

A general view of the clubhouse during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - DC at Trump National Golf Club, Sterling, Virginia, May 27, 2023.

Analysis

Saudi-funded LIV Golf merger with PGA Tour changes US sports landscape

The Saudi Public Investment Fund now holds a major stake in a US sports competition, leading to both economic and political ramifications. Criticism of the Saudi investment in professional golf is continuing, including in Congress.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A Saudi fan holds a scarf with portraits of King Salman (L) and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Analysis

What MBS' latest sports reforms mean for soccer in Saudi Arabia

Talk of privatization of the sports sector is nothing new in the kingdom, but experts believe the changes might help the Saudi Pro League lure in more big names.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia's Pro League

Reports emerged this week that the 35-year-old French striker was offered a two-year contract worth €400 million to move to the Saudi Pro League's Al Ittihad.

Belgium's supporters with a banner to ask for protection of migrant workers' rights in Qatar.

World Cup migrant workers still detained in Qatar: report

The Guardian has confirmed that three migrant workers from Pakistan and India arrested in January after their World Cup-related contracts were terminated remain in detention to this day.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Raqqa’s first ever girls’ soccer team poses outside a pitch funded by Norwegian donors, April 25, 2023.

Syrian girls play soccer among ghosts of Islamic State

Raqqa's first-ever girls' soccer team is blooming where Islamic State once terrorized the society.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United battles for possession with Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on May 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim awaits Manchester United decision as West Ham rumors swirl

A report by El Pais linked the Qatari royal to the east London-based team.

Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United scores the team's second goal whilst under pressure from Nelson Semedo of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on May 13, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Qatari royal submits last-ditch $6.2 billion offer for Manchester United

The updated offer, submitted Tuesday, is believed to be close to £5 billion ($6.2 billion) but shy of the current owners’ £6 billion ($7.4 billion) valuation for the soccer club.

Lionel Messi Argentina

FC Barcelona 'hugely confident' on Messi return despite Saudi bid

The Catalonian soccer team are in a tug-of-war with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal to snap up the 2022 World Cup winner.

Lionel Messi PSG

Lionel Messi move to Saudi Arabia from PSG 'a done deal': Report

Jorge Messi said the decision on a transfer of the 2022 World Cup winner will not be taken until the end of the season.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/05/turkeys-erdogan-indicates-refusal-hand-over-power-event-election-loss

Cristiano Ronaldo world’s highest paid athlete at $136 million

Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2023 list of the highest grossing athletes playing soccer in Saudi Arabia, which also gave tens of millions of dollars in upfront guarantees to top earners Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.