AP Muhammed Afsal

AP Muhammed Afsal is a Doha-based freelance reporter.

Gulf | Feb 2, 2023

Once-banned, Saudi women's soccer team wins big as Riyadh woos FIFA

A Saudi women's soccer team that was unthinkable a decade ago is now winning championships, but Australia and New Zealand have lodged a complaint to FIFA over the kingdom's reported sponsorship of upcoming tournament.

Saudi women's soccer team celebrates their win at the Women’s International Friendly Tournament in January.

Jan 8, 2023

Graffiti gets a makeover in streets of Qatar

After decades of suppressing unauthorized graffiti protest, Qatari authorities commissioned dozens of public murals around the World Cup.

Saudi Arabia | Dec 18, 2022

Despite loss, Saudi Arabia scores big at World Cup

In Qatar, a sprawling 18,000 square-meter Saudi House — a large exhibition pavilion erected on Doha’s waterfront — seems to flex the kingdom’s soft-power muscles, as Saudi tries to shake off its ultra-conservative image.