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Sports

Egypt

Egypt’s national team goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, also known as Al-Sad Al-Aaly, arrives for a training session, on June 11. (AFP)

For Egypt’s new breed of footballers, everything’s in a nickname

Mahmud el-Shafey

world cup

Egyptian fans watch the World Cup 2018 match between Egypt and Uruguay at a cafe in Cairo. (Reuters)

Egypt forces Qatar’s beIN to back down on World Cup games

Arab

A Saudi woman and boy pose for a “selfie” before a wall showing a picture of the Saudi national football team in Jeddah, on June 14. (AFP)

Arab teams off to slow start in World Cup but fans hold out hope

Stephen Quillen

Morocco

Presentation of the Morocco 2026 bid during the 68th FIFA Congress at the Expocentre in Moscow on June 13. (AFP)

Morocco’s loss in 2026 World Cup bid highlights Arab divide

Iraq

Raad Ameen, a member of the Iraqi national weightlifting team, exercises during a training session at the local weightlifting club in the town of Badra near the Iraq-Iran border, on May 16.

In eastern Iraq, a small town builds weightlifting champions

World Cup 2026

Morocco’s Cup dream shattered by strong North America bid

Morocco

Artists perform on stage as "Morocco" is displayed on screens during the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup football tournament, in Moscow last December. (AFP)

FIFA to choose between North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup

Morocco

Talented playmaker. Morocco’s midfielder Hakim Ziyech controls the ball during the friendly match between Morocco and Ukraine, on May 31. (AFP)

Morocco’s football team displays strong defence ahead of World Cup

football

In great spirits. Tunisian fans take a selfie with defender Yassine Meriah before the departure of the national football team from the Carthage International Airport, on June 7. (Reuters)

Tunisian national team urged to display patriotic spirit at World Cup