Mark Lomas

1 week ago | english.alarabiya.net | Mark Lomas

This month, overshadowed somewhat by the FIFA Club World Cup happening simultaneously, the best national teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean are battling it out in the biennial CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 2025 edition also includes a more unfamiliar international side: Saudi Arabia is competing alongside the likes of the United States, Mexico, Canada, Haiti and Panama for the continental prize. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

1 week ago | english.alarabiya.net | Mark Lomas

When the draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was made last December, Al Hilal was handed an opening fixture that inspired anticipation and trepidation in equal measure. On Wednesday, six months after both clubs discovered their fate, the 19-time Saudi champion will face Real Madrid at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. In many ways, the Group H draw was a perfect one for Al Hilal.

3 weeks ago | english.alarabiya.net | Mark Lomas

Four years ago, Abdullah Alqahtani was watching on television as Saudi karateka Tarek Hamdi won an Olympic silver medal for the Kingdom in Tokyo. Hamdi’s karate silver was an instantly iconic sporting moment for Saudi Arabia; for Alqahtani, it was transformational. As a promising young karateka himself, Alqahtani saw a fellow Saudi competing – and winning – at the highest level of the sport.

3 weeks ago | english.alarabiya.net | Mark Lomas

When Bahrain faces Saudi Arabia in a crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday, it is aiming to do more than just end its neighbors hopes of an automatic spot at the tournament. Bahrain has twice suffered heartache at the final hurdle in its bid to play in a maiden FIFA World Cup – losing intercontinental play-offs to Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 and New Zealand in 2010; now, current coach Dragan Talajic is determined to make history for the Gulf nation.

3 weeks ago | english.alarabiya.net | Mark Lomas

The draw for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup has been made, with Saudi Arabia discovering its opponents for the tournament – which will be played in Chile between September 27 and October 19. It will be the first time that Saudi Arabia has competed in the global competition since 2019, after the 2021 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Green Falcons failed to qualify in 2023.