Sports

Saudi sports minister promises to host ‘most exciting World Cup ever’

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, has said that the Kingdom is determined to deliver “the most exciting World Cup ever hosted” when it stages football’s biggest tournament in 2034.

Speaking on a panel at the inaugural TOURISE tourism conference in Riyadh, Prince Abdulaziz said the Kingdom’s transformation through sport, tourism, and wider economic diversification was no overnight project. Instead, he described it as part of a coordinated national effort designed to elevate Saudi Arabia’s global profile while improving opportunities for its people.

“We work as one entity – whether to grow sport, to grow tourism, to grow different fields of the economy and job creation,” he said.

“The message we got from His Royal Highness [Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman] is to have the most exciting and memorable World Cup ever hosted, and that’s the challenge we have to achieve,” he said.

But hosting the tournament is not simply about spectacle – with Prince Abdulaziz insisting that the priority is to deliver tangible benefits for Saudi citizens and the Kingdom’s economy.

“If you look at the number of tourists who come to such events, the economy gets ignited by hosting such events. It’s tremendous… We are not hosting these events just to host them – but to leave a legacy that will impact society and create a better future for the Kingdom.”

When Vision 2030 was first launched a decade ago, only 13 percent of Saudis were physically active for half an hour or more each week. The target was 40 percent by 2030 – a figure already surpassed. Prince Abdulaziz stressed that Saudi Arabia’s growing profile in world sport over the past few years has been grounded in a desire to improve participation at community level.

“This year, the numbers have shown that we’ve reached 59 percent,” he said. “Not just of half an hour or more but of 150 minutes per week of activity. That’s the reason for hosting such events – putting programs on the ground.”

Saudi Arabia now has 97 sports federations, up from 30 less than a decade ago – something Prince Abdulaziz credits to consistent policy and investment rather than short bursts of attention from global events.

“It has been an encouraging and inspiring transformation but we still have a lot to achieve to get to where we want to be,” he added.

Learning ahead for 2034

Eight years out from the FIFA World Cup being hosted in the Kingdom, Prince Abdulaziz confirmed there will be a major Saudi delegation heading to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada on an important fact-finding mission.

“We’ll definitely be looking at what they’re doing and making sure we learn from them, because it’s going to be the first 48-team World Cup,” Prince Abdulaziz said.

“It will be a big challenge for us also, hosting in one nation, but I think with what we have showcased in the past – we can host such an event and make sure that we deliver on the expectation.

“We set our own standards and we work day and night to make sure we achieve these goals.”

The 2034 FIFA World Cup will be staged across five cities, with some estimates suggesting that attendances could total five million over the course of the tournament.

Sport has become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s tourism strategy and Prince Abdulaziz recognizes the crucial role it has as many visitors’ first entry point into Saudi Arabia. He added that coordination between the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Tourism ensures that visitors experience the full breadth of the Kingdom.

“When you’re coming to an event, you also want to see what’s going on around it,” he said. “We have seen that many guests and fans who come to events later visit AlUla, the Red Sea or Asir in the south,” he said.

“The beauty of Saudi Arabia is that you can go from sea to desert to mountains to valleys, and enjoy everything the country offers.

“I think our biggest asset is the people… and this is something we should be very proud of as Saudis. A lot of people come from around the world attracted by the event but they leave feeling touched by the warmth of the Saudi people.”

Al Arabiya

Football

Ronaldo Hails Almería After Win

Cristiano Ronaldo gave his first message to the UD Almeria squad as co-owner following the side’s 3-0 win over Cultural Leonesa on Monday night in La Liga 2.

In late February news broke that Ronaldo had taken a major step into club ownership after acquiring a 25 percent stake in Spanish side Almeria through his CR7 Sports Investments company.

Speaking on the decision the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, said: “It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch.”

A commanding victory over Cultural Leonesa saw Almeria climb back into second place in the in the Spanish second division, an automatic promotion spot, prompting praise from Ronaldo for the team’s performance.

Following the game, Ronaldo posted a picture of the Almeria team celebrating on his Instagram story, with text which read “Great win today. We continue.”

After suffering relegation last season, Almeria are firmly in the fight for promotion from La Liga 2. The side currently sit second in the table, just four points behind leaders Racing de Santander, with their recent victory over Cultural Leonesa providing another positive step in their push to secure an immediate return to the Spanish top flight.

Football

Australia urged to protect Iran players after anthem backflip

The Australian government has been urged to allow the Iran women’s national team players to remain in Australia after a state-aligned conservative commentator in Iran described them as “wartime traitors” and said they must be “dealt with more severely”.

The Iran players are currently competing in the Women’s Asian Cup, and lost 4-0 to the Matildas on the Gold Coast in their second group-stage match on Thursday.

Their final match is against the Philippines on Sunday night, after which they are due to return home to Iran.

Footage shared on social media platform X on Friday showed Iran state television presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi accusing the team of dishonour for not singing the national anthem before their first match against South Korea on Monday.

Before kick-off in their match against the Matildas on Thursday, the Iran players sang the anthem and saluted in a clear contrast to their approach to the anthem on Monday.

Iran head coach Marzieh Jafari and team staff during the national anthem before facing Australia in the Women’s Asian Cup. Photograph: Nigel Owen/Action Plus/Shutterstock

Refugee Council chief executive Paul Power said: “certainly on the evidence that’s available, it would appear that the members of the women’s soccer team are at risk if they’re returned”, noting that people in Iran involved in “quite simple acts of peaceful protests have suffered dire consequences”.

Germany-based Iranian journalist Ali Bornaei tagged foreign minister Penny Wong on X alongside the footage, calling on the Australian government to afford the team protection.

“The lives of the Iranian Women’s National Football Team are in imminent danger. After their peaceful protest in Australia, Iranian state-linked media has officially labeled them ‘wartime traitors’,” Bornaei posted.

“In Iran, ‘treason’ is a capital offense punishable by death. These athletes face arbitrary detention and execution if forced to return.”

Iran’s women’s team refuse to sing national anthem before Asian Cup tie – video

Wong said the Australian government “stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression”.

“They have suffered brutal acts of violence and intimidation, with women in particular being oppressed by the regime,” she said.

“We have called on the Iranian regime to protect its own people and allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.”

Wong added: “We hope the Iranian team’s participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will inspire future generations of young Iranians to continue to promote women’s rights and participation in sport.”

The minister for home affairs, Tony Burke, has responsibility for Australia’s humanitarian migration program. He declined to comment.

Power said Australia ratified the refugee convention to address these specific circumstances, but the country is not obliged to act unless a claim is made.

“This whole system is designed to protect people in circumstances like this, but ultimately it’s up to the individuals to decide what is best for them and for the people that they’re connected to.”

A large victory by Iran over the Philippines on the Gold Coast on Sunday could secure the team a place in the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed sides across the Asian Cup’s three pools.

Australia meet South Korea in Sydney on Sunday to decide the winner of Group A.

The Guardian

Football

Turkish football club distributes Iftar meals in Gaza

Turkish football club MKE Ankaragücü organized iftar distributions in Gaza, delivering meals to 1,500 children as part of its Ramadan campaign to support those in need.

MKE Ankaragucu, a Turkish football club which is currently playing in the TFF 2. Lig, has organized iftar distributions in Gaza as part of its ongoing campaign to help people in need in the Palestinian enclave.

In an official statement on its social media channels, MKE Ankaragucu reiterated its commitment to reminding children facing hardship in Palestine and elsewhere that they are not forgotten during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, while calling for greater support and participation.

The announcement included video footage documenting the distribution of iftar packages to 1,500 children in Gaza.

Turkish football clubs have shown widespread tribune solidarity during matches, with fans displaying banners, Palestinian flags, and messages of support.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced that the Gaza ceasefire has more than doubled monthly food aid compared to before the truce, with coordinated efforts continuing under improved access as of late February 2026.

Amid harsh winter and displacement, one million people are receiving full assistance packages that include food parcels, hot Ramadan iftar meals, fresh bread, and cash transfers.

A News