Trending Middle East

Ecuador produced the shock of the World Cup group stage, beating Germany 2-1 despite falling behind after only two minutes. Nilson Angulo equalised quickly and Gonzalo Plata scored the winner in the 77th minute, sending Ecuador into the knockout stage for only the second time in their history.

The Netherlands won Group F after beating Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City, with two goals inside seven minutes setting the tone. Tunisia finish with three defeats, 12 goals conceded and the worst defensive record of any team at the tournament. Japan and Sweden both progressed from the same group after drawing 1-1.

In Group E, Ivory Coast reached the knockouts for the first time in their history with a 2-0 win over Curacao, and Australia secured second place in Group D with a goalless draw against Paraguay.

Morocco now know their last 32 opponent. They face the Netherlands in Monterrey, Mexico, on Monday in one of the most culturally charged ties of the round, with about 433,000 people of Moroccan descent living in the Netherlands.

Early tomorrow, Saudi Arabia face Cape Verde in Houston in a must-win match. Victory keeps the Saudi players alive for the last 32, though they would also need Uruguay to fail to beat Spain. Iraq face Senegal in Toronto tonight, with both teams still without a point. Egypt then face Iran in Seattle, with Mohamed Salah's side able to secure top spot in Group G.

Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz dominates talks as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Gulf foreign ministers in Bahrain. Iran insists vessels must use routes designated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while Mr Rubio rejects any attempt to impose tolls and reaffirms US security commitments to Gulf allies.

US President Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to the key American demands in negotiations on a permanent peace agreement, but the deal is coming under growing scrutiny. Republican legislators are questioning the administration’s approach, while a new poll suggests most Americans remain unconvinced the conflict was worth fighting or that the agreement will ultimately succeed.

Lebanon says it is awaiting Israeli approval for the first phase of a military withdrawal from the south under a US-backed process, although the sides remain divided over the future of the border area and Hezbollah.

In Gaza, residents tell The National that Israeli military surveillance cranes mounted with automatic machineguns overlooking the territory have transformed daily life, with many avoiding open spaces despite the ceasefire.

And in the UAE, Abu Dhabi approves the Bab Gas Cap project, the world's largest development of its kind, as Adnoc and international partners move forward with plans to boost gas production and strengthen the country's path towards gas self-sufficiency.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Morocco are through to the last 32 after a dramatic 4-2 win over Haiti in Atlanta, coming from behind twice before taking control in the second half. Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari both scored, meaning has Saibari netted in all three group games. Morocco finish second in Group C behind Brazil, who beat Scotland 3-0 with Vinicius Junior scoring, meaning he also has a goal in every game so far.

Qatar are out after a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, finishing bottom of Group B with one point. Fifa also confirmed a five-match ban for Qatar's Assim Madibo for the tackle that broke Ismael Kone's leg against Canada. The decision has sparked debate about whether the punishment reflected intent or outcome.

Canada qualified but lost top spot to Switzerland after losing 2-1 to the Swiss. Mexico completed a perfect group stage with three wins and no goals conceded, while South Africa reached the knockouts for the first time in their history.

Tonight, six matches across three groups kick off simultaneously. In Group E at midnight, Germany face Ecuador while Curaçao play Ivory Coast, with both Ecuador and Curaçao needing wins to stay alive. In Group F at 3am, Tunisia face the Netherlands while Japan play Sweden. In Group D at 6am, Paraguay and Australia meet with second place on the line behind the already-qualified United States.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a Gulf tour with meetings in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain as Washington seeks regional backing for negotiations on a permanent agreement with Iran. Rubio says Gulf partners will help shape the next phase of talks and insists Iran will not be allowed to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran also says it has secured the release of $12 billion in frozen assets under the interim agreement with the US, although Washington has yet to confirm the claim. The announcement comes as a temporary sanctions waiver allows Tehran to resume oil exports while negotiations continue.

We also look at the latest US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel, where major disagreements remain over Hezbollah, Israeli troop withdrawals and the future of southern Lebanon.

In aviation, Emirates begins urgent inspections of part of its Airbus A380 fleet after European regulators order checks following the discovery of cracks in key wing structures.

And Etihad Rail prepares to launch its first passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah next week, with opening-day tickets selling out quickly ahead of a major milestone for the UAE's national rail network.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at six different World Cups, netting twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston. He had gone 10 major tournament matches without a goal before scoring twice in one night. Portugal now have four points in Group K, with Colombia top on six after beating DR Congo 1-0 to seal their place in the last 32.

England were held to a goalless draw by Ghana, with no shots on target in the first half and refereeing controversy in the second. Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz was furious about two penalty appeals that were waved away, while Harry Kane fired over from eight yards to spurn England's best chance. Both teams have four points going into their final group matches.

Croatia kept their campaign alive with a 1-0 win over Panama as Luka Modric won his 200th cap. Panama are out.

Tonight, Qatar face Bosnia at 11pm in a must-win match to stay in the tournament. Morocco face Haiti at 2am needing a result to qualify from Group C, but they will have an eye on Brazil's match against Scotland, which kick offs simultaneously. First place in Group B is also on the line, with Canada and Switzerland level on four points.

Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

Lionel Messi is now the greatest scorer in World Cup history. His two goals against Austria in a 2-0 win increase his tally to 18, moving him clear of Miroslav Klose. Messi has five at this tournament, helping Argentina to progress to the knockout stage as Group J winners.

Algeria kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Jordan, coming from behind to score twice from set pieces in the final 30 minutes. It is Algeria's first World Cup win since 2014 and sets up a decisive match against Austria. Jordan, who led for a spell through Nizar Al Rashdan's first World Cup goal, are eliminated after two defeats.

France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia in a match delayed for more than two hours by lightning. Kylian Mbappe scored twice on his 100th international appearance and now has four goals at this tournament, closing in on Messi's tally. Iraq have no points and must beat Senegal to remain in the competition.

Norway reached the knockout stage for the first time since 1998, beating Senegal 3-2. Erling Haaland scored twice to take his tournament tally to four.

With two rounds of matches played, Egypt are best placed among the Arab nations, topping Group G on four points. Morocco also have four points in Group C. Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are alive but need results in their final group matches. Iraq must win. Tunisia are out, alongside Jordan.

One uncomfortable footnote: Arab players have scored five own goals in the tournament so far, with every Arab nation contributing at least one.

Tonight, England face Ghana at midnight in a meeting of Group L's top two teams. Portugal face Uzbekistan at 9pm needing a win after their opening draw.

Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a tour of the Gulf to discuss Washington’s interim agreement with Iran. His meetings in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are expected to focus on the next phase of negotiations, security in the Strait of Hormuz and unresolved issues including the conflict in Lebanon and Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

We also have the latest from Qatar, where at least 13 people have been killed and 66 injured in an explosion at the Barzan gas facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City.

In the UK, the race to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer has prompted calls for a tougher approach to the Palestine-Israel crisis, with campaign groups urging the next leader to adopt stronger sanctions and expand support for international legal action.

In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, leads a review of the emirate’s sovereign wealth funds as senior officials assess investment performance and long-term economic strategy amid the global uncertainty.

And across the UAE, hotel operators say tourism is beginning to recover after the US-Iran agreement, owing to easing travel advisories and a stronger conference season. The Wynn resort in Ras Al Khaimah, set to open next year, is also expected to support the sector's rebound.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US and Iranian negotiators agree on a roadmap towards a final peace agreement after their first round of talks in Switzerland.

Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan announce new mechanisms to oversee negotiations, monitor the ceasefire in Lebanon and help prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

We also have the latest from Qatar, where an explosion at the Barzan gas facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City has left 54 people injured and 18 missing. Emergency crews remain at the scene as authorities investigate what QatarEnergy describes as an operational incident.

Lebanon remains one of the biggest unresolved issues in the wider US-Iran negotiations, with Israel insisting it will keep troops in parts of southern Lebanon while Hezbollah warns it will respond to any further violations of the ceasefire.

In business, Egypt’s Midar and Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim sign a multibillion-dollar agreement to develop a large mixed-use community in New Cairo, underlining the growing scale of Gulf investment there.

And in the UAE, experts welcome the country's landmark ban on social media use for children under 15, saying the new rules could help tackle excessive screen time and improve young people's digital well-being.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Egypt made history in Vancouver, beating New Zealand 3-1 to record their first World Cup win, 92 years after becoming the first African and Arab nation to appear at the tournament.

A half-time tactical shift transformed the match after Egypt fell behind, with Mohamed Salah scoring his first World Cup goal before Trezeguet headed in a third from Salah's corner. Egypt now top Group G on four points, with an opportunity to win the group in their final match against Iran.

Iran kept pace with a disciplined 0-0 draw against Belgium, with Alireza Beiranvand making a crucial save and Mehdi Taremi denied a goal by VAR. Belgium finished with ten men after a late red card. The Group G finale between Egypt and Iran is now one of the most compelling matches of the round.

Morocco scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far, with Ismael Saibari scoring after 71 seconds against Scotland on Sunday to claim a 1-0 win. Morocco are level with Brazil at the top of Group C on four points.

Spain recovered from their opening draw to beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, with 18-year-old Lamine Yamal scoring on his first World Cup start to become only the second player of that age to open the scoring in a World Cup match after Pele in 1958. Saudi Arabia have one point from two games and must beat Cape Verde to stay alive.

Tunisia were eliminated after a 4-0 defeat to Japan, their second heavy loss in two matches under two different coaches.

Tonight, France face Iraq at 1am UAE time, with Didier Deschamps warning his squad not to underestimate them. Argentina face Austria at 9pm, and Jordan take on Algeria at 7am in a match both sides need.

Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

Qatar's World Cup campaign suffered a heavy blow overnight, losing 6-0 to Canada in Vancouver after two red cards left them chasing the match.

The result was overshadowed by a serious injury to Canada's Ismael Kone, who left on a stretcher in the 51st minute after a challenge from Assim Madibo. Kone gave the crowd a thumbs up before leaving the pitch. Jonathan David scored a hat-trick and Qatar now face Bosnia and Herzegovina needing a big response to stay in the tournament.

Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout stage, beating South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara to win Group A with two wins and two clean sheets. Switzerland defeated Bosnia 4-1 after being frustrated for more than an hour, while Czech Republic and South Africa drew 1-1.

Lionel Messi's family confirmed his father Jorge is receiving medical treatment for an unspecified health issue. Messi had been emotional after his hat-trick against Algeria, saying he had faced difficulties unrelated to football.

Morocco face Scotland at 2am tomorrow in Boston in what could be the Arab world's most significant match of the weekend. A win would put Morocco in a strong position to reach the knockouts. The US face Australia at 11pm tonight and Brazil face Haiti at 4.30am tomorrow after an opening draw with Morocco.

Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.