The fragile truce between rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia could unravel if Gulf states allow Israel to use their airspace to strike Iran.

Tehran has issued a stern warning to Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, regarding potential Israeli attacks on Iran. Iran cautioned that if Gulf nations collude with Israel, it cannot guarantee the safety of their oil facilities.

In two months' time FIFA is set to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup. The world soccer body was urged again Friday to allow independent scrutiny of the kingdom’s human rights obligations for the tournament.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia narrowly failed on Wednesday to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, a blow to Riyadh's efforts to boost the country's rights reputation abroad and four years after it was rejected in a 2020 bid to join the 47-member body.

After Infantino was first elected in 2016, when scrutiny was intense on Qatar and its treatment of migrant workers, FIFA demanded a human rights strategy from future World Cup hosts.

Japan handed Saudi Arabia a 2-0 defeat in Jeddah on Thursday as Hajime Moriyasu's side continued their march towards the World Cup with a third consecutive win in Asian qualifying that moves the Samurai Blue five points clear at the top of Group C.

Japan maintained their 100 percent record in the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Thursday.In Group B, South Korea were not deterred by the absence of captain and superstar Son Heung-min as they won 2-0 against Jordan in Amman to maintain their unbeaten start to the third round.