Category Archives: Articles

40 years in the wilderness: Iraq’s long road back to the World Cup

Iraq’s journey back to the World Cup traces the story of a country overcoming war, [...]

Eight Arab teams, one dream: What to expect at the World Cup

A record eight Arab nations will take part in the expanded 2026 World Cup. From [...]

Can Iran cope with same-day US commutes at the World Cup 2026?

The new US rule on the Iranian national team, which forces them to enter and [...]

A World Cup for the wealthy: Visa barriers and sky-high prices shut out Arab football fans

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, ordinary Arab fans are being shut out by soaring [...]

The Muhajirin: Inside Syria’s uneasy pact with foreign fighters

An Uzbek fighter’s arrest, and tensions that ensued, lay bare the tense bargain between Syria’s [...]

Why the Gulf became a new arena for India and Pakistan’s rivalry

With both countries entrenching their roles in the Gulf’s shifting security landscape, India and Pakistan [...]