Mark Lomas

5 days 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.

6 days 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.

1 week 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.

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

Al Ittihad underlined its dominance of Saudi football in 2024-25 as it beat Al Qadsiah 3-1 to win the King’s Cup in Jeddah. Less than a week after officially being crowned Saudi Pro League champion for the 10th time, Al Ittihad also added a 10th King’s Cup trophy - the first time in the club’s history that it has won both titles in the same season.

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

The curtain has come down on a thrilling Saudi Pro League season as Al Ittihad won its 10th title ahead of deposed champion Al Hilal. It was another campaign that demonstrated the improving quality of the Kingdom’s top flight, with new arrivals such as Ivan Toney, Moussa Diaby and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang adding further depth to the division.