Business & Economy | Al Majalla

How FIFA turned the World Cup into a giant money-making machine

Billions of dollars are streaming into the Swiss-based organisation from broadcasting rights, advertising revenue, and ticket and hospitality sales, but have the fans been left high and dry?

Abdulfattah Khattab 14 June 2026

This view shows the stand and the skyscrapers of New York during the 2026 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Morocco at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on 13 June 2026.

Angela WEISS / AFP

Gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf July 25, 2005. (Reuters)

While Iran Oil Exports Plummet, the U.S. Presses on with Sanctions

The Iranian government appeared to take heart on Tuesday when Nikki Haley, the outspoken U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, announced that she would be resigning at the end of the year. The…

Joseph Braude 12 October 2018

USMCA Trade Deal

In an eleventh-hour breakthrough that may have saved the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Trump administration and top Canadian officials came to terms late Sunday on a deal — opening the way…

Don Lee 05 October 2018

President Donald Trump addresses the 73rd United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly on September 25, 2018 in New York City. (Getty)

At UN, Trump Challenges the World to Isolate Iran, Toughens Line on Syria

In his annual speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern message to Iran, its proxies, and any international elements that enable it. “Iran’s leaders…

Joseph Braude 28 September 2018

Cuba’s Stalled Revolution

ForCuba, 2018 marks the end of an era. For the first time in almost six decades, the country’s president is no longer a Castro—neither the late guerilla fighter, revolutionary caudillo, and…

Richard E. Feinberg and Ted Piccone 21 September 2018

German Government Press Office (BPA), German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with newly-elected French President Emmanuel on May 15, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. (Getty)

Europe's Quest for Financial Independence

On Monday 27 August, France and Germany each gathered all of their ambassadors for their annual meeting in Berlin and Paris. In their opening speeches, French President EmmanuelMacronand German…

07 September 2018

The Forgotten History of the Financial Crisis

[caption id="attachment_55257375" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] People protest outside of the New York Stock Exchange October 13, 2008 in New York City. (Getty)[/caption] by Adam Tooze …

Majalla 23 August 2018

Iran Will Raise the Price on the US Before it Shows Signs of Cracking

The Trump Administration has now snapped back the first round of sanctions on Iran. Cars, planes, precious metals and currency are effected. The harsher sanctions designed to preclude the buying of…

Dennis Ross 17 August 2018

Iran’s Isolation Brings Defiance and Collateral Damage

Earlier this week in Tehran, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made comments placing blame on Hassan Rouhani for the present economic crisis in his country. Rouhani had crossed “red lines…

Joseph Braude 17 August 2018

The Security Risks of a Trade War With China

[caption id="attachment_55257280" align="aligncenter" width="900"] The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrives at the Wusong military port on November 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China…

Majalla 10 August 2018

Climate Extremes and Global Health

[caption id="attachment_55257234" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] An airplane makes a fire retardant drop on a large hill-top home that had caught fire near Cal State San Marcos as crews battle a…

Majalla 07 August 2018

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From Hitler and Mussolini to South American dictators, world leaders have long seen in football's biggest tournament an opportunity to further an agenda

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2026 World Cup: football in the age of AI

09 June 2026

From 3D players to data-transmitting balls, the sport's biggest tournament is awash with technology to help with everything from offside decisions to viewer angles, but does this come at a cost?

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Trump started a war he can’t control

09 June 2026

Netanyahu continues to defy calls from Washington to pump the brakes on Israel's offensive in Lebanon, something Iran has linked to a future peace deal

John Haltiwanger

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Why is Iran targeting Kuwait and Bahrain?

10 June 2026

While it could be tied to military calculations related to the current US-Iran war, it also reflects a deeper struggle between two opposing regional visions

Al Majalla - London

Al Majalla

Culture & Social Affairs

Al Majalla’s Film Watch: football on the big screen

11 June 2026

We highlight some of the most notable movies centred on the world's most coveted sport

Wael Said

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LATEST ISSUE

How FIFA turned the World Cup into a giant money-making machine

While Iran Oil Exports Plummet, the U.S. Presses on with Sanctions

USMCA Trade Deal

At UN, Trump Challenges the World to Isolate Iran, Toughens Line on Syria

Cuba’s Stalled Revolution

Europe's Quest for Financial Independence

The Forgotten History of the Financial Crisis

Iran Will Raise the Price on the US Before it Shows Signs of Cracking

Iran’s Isolation Brings Defiance and Collateral Damage

The Security Risks of a Trade War With China

Climate Extremes and Global Health

The World Cup has always been a pitch for global politics

2026 World Cup: football in the age of AI

Trump started a war he can’t control

Why is Iran targeting Kuwait and Bahrain?

Al Majalla’s Film Watch: football on the big screen

OPINIONS

Syria should stay within its borders ...and limits

Between Obama and Trump, a different Middle East

UK immigration debate intensifies after Belfast attack

Beirut's hands tied to Islamabad negotiating track

CARTOON

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