December 2 – Saudi Arabia has formally submitted a bid to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, a major socio-political statement by the country that only a few years ago did not allow women into stadia to watch football.
December 1 – Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of a sensational move to leading Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr according to unconfirmed reports.
November 25 – Saudi Arabian investors could soon be homing in on trying to take over Liverpool or Manchester United, with both English giants reportedly willing to listen to offers from potential buyers.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 23 – Saudis will enjoy a day off on Wednesday as the Kingdom declared a public holiday to mark the Green Falcons’ historic 2-1 win against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
November 21 – Saudi Arabia is continuing its football charm offensive, signing an MoU with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), and on the ground in Qatar opening a dedicated pavilion showcasing the country’s culture and football history.
November 17 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has signed an MoU with the Croatian FA (HNS) to explore collaboration across all levels of the game.
November 14 – Saudi Arabia has been forced to pull one of its leading World Cup players because of an ongoing doping case.
November 10 – Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Authority has extended its own use of the Hayya Card – the mandatory card that allows fans entry to Qatar for the World Cup – to include three more people travelling with the car holder (‘Hayya with Me (1+3)’).
October 27 – Proof that all is love in the Qatari/Saudi Arabian media world has been shown again with the announcement that beIN Media Group has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Riyadh-based media sales group SMC.
October 8 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their relationship.
September 25 – Saudi Arabia’s women’s team made their international home debut Saturday night with a 3-3 draw against Bhutan at the Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium in Abha. The two teams will play another friendly September 28.
September 9 – Saudi Arabia will reportedly launch a joint bid with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup within a matter of weeks.
August 25 – Not just Qatar, but Saudi Arabia will seek to welcome the world this November and December. In a bid to capitalise on the influx of football fans in the Gulf during the World Cup, Saudi Arabia will issue a special 60-day visa for holders of a Hayya card, a fan-id required to enter Qatar.
August 22 – Seen alongside Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended the heavyweight boxing fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua in Jeddah, at the weekend, further reinforcing ties between the FIFA President and Saudi Arabia.
June 29 – Already buffeted by criticism from human rights groups after being taken over by a Saudi-led consortium, Newcastle United, one of English football’s most fanatically supported clubs, face further disapproval after unveiling their third kit for the upcoming season – green and white, the colours on the Saudi Arabian flag.