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Crude oil sales from the world’s biggest exporter, Saudi Arabia, are set to surge as 2026 begins, with customers from the US to Asia all set to receive more supply amid growing concerns over an oil glut.Chinese refiners are poised to receive around 50mn barrels from Saudi Arabia, the leading member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. They will load next month and are equivalent to some 1.6mn barrels a day — and it’ll be the highest allocated amount since August, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Those barrels will likely arrive in late January or in February.Meanwhile, there’s 509,000 barrels a day of crude from the kingdom bound for the US that had loaded in November, according to data from Kpler Ltd. That’s likely to be sustained, with OilX, a unit of Energy Aspects, estimating that January arrival of Saudi crude to the US will hit 594,000 barrels a day. The inflows would be the highest seen since 2022 and are weighing down prices of oil in the US Gulf Coast market.It’s all adding to signs that global oil markets will be awash with supply next year, as producers, including those within Opec, ramp up drilling at a time when demand growth is set to remain tepid. Opec and its allies had earlier agreed to revive oil production in the final months of this year in an apparent effort to regain market share.With oil prices falling, Opec+ last month said it will pause further production increases during the first quarter of 2026. Among leading forecasters, the International Energy Agency said markets will be oversupplied by 3.8mn barrels a day in 2026.Japan, as well, has seen higher Saudi flows, with November-loading crude bound for the Asian nation at around 1.3mn barrels a day, which would be the most since April 2023, Kpler data also showed. Projections indicated a higher rate of Japan-bound Aramco exports for December loading — over 1.4mn barrels a day — although the number can still change.The oil-derivative market is also flashing signs of oversupply. The forward curve for the Middle Eastern benchmark, Dubai, is hovering around a contango structure — where later-dated contracts trade at a premium to more prompt ones, indicating weak near-term demand. 

Saudi Arabia halted Palestine's dream run, while Morocco took down a resilient Syria to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar Thursday. At the packed Lusail Stadium, Palestine's spirited run from the qualifiers came to an end, as Mohamed Kanno's extra-time winner catapulted Saudi Arabia into the final four.The first half was controlled by Saudi Arabia, with Herve Renard’s men patiently poking and prodding their opponents, but the pegged-back Palestinians showed the same defensive solidity they possessed in the group stage, when they recorded two clean sheets. **media[392601]** It wasn’t until the final stages of the first 45 minutes that the Lions of Canaan’s back line was pulled out of position, as a deep cross left them scrambling, and only a last-gasp Hamed Hamdan clearance prevented Feras al-Brikan from scoring. It took Saudi Arabia’s magic man, Salem al-Dawsari, to break things open, as a brilliant first touch from the No. 10 forced a rash challenge from Mohammed Saleh and a point to the spot. Al-Brikan then confidently stroked home the penalty to hand the Green Falcons the lead. Palestine were unfazed and promptly answered through Oday Dabbagh, who showcased an exquisite first touch of his own to collect Hassan Altambakti’s cross and score.A late penalty in favour of Saudi Arabia was overturned by VAR, sending the two sides to extra time. Just when it looked like matters would have to be settled in penalties, Kanno struck for his late winner by thumping home a header off a cross from Al Dawsari to propel the Saudis to the final four. **media[392598]** Earlier, Syria’s fantastic run at the Arab Cup came to an end as they fell 0-1 against Morocco at the Khalifa International Stadium. Having progressed from the qualifiers all the way to the quarters, Syria were undone by a late goal from Morocco.It was a pair of substitutes that combined to conjure the late goal, with Walid Azaro tucking home after a Mounir Chouiar effort was parried to him six yards out from the Syrian goal. A Syrian side that had to advance from the qualifiers to reach the tournament proper was looking to keep their impressive run going and just about matched a more fancied Moroccan outfit over the opening half. **media[392600]** The best of the limited chances saw an early effort from the Atlas Lions’ Amin Zahzouh tipped over the bar by Elias Hadaya before they suffered a blow, as the influential Tarik Tissoudali was forced off. The African giants came closest to breaking the deadlock shortly after the break, as a save from Hadaya, a frantic Zakaria Hannan block, and a scrambled clearance managed to quell a dangerous Moroccan attacking sequence. The longer that things went on, the more Morocco started to control the game, as Oussama Tannane, Karim El Berkaoui, and then Marwane Saddane all came close. Eventually, that rising pressure told, as the excellent Hadaya parried a long-range strike from Chouiar into the path of fellow substitute Azaro, who swept home to seal the late win.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani left Doha on Monday, heading to Riyadh City, to chair the eighth meeting of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.HH the Amir is accompanied by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and an official delegation. 

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah al-Saud, Thursday co-chaired the eighth meeting of the Executive Committee of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council, in Riyadh.**media[389670]**During the meeting, the Council's General Secretariat working team reviewed the outcomes of the subcommittees and their working groups over the past period.HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Saudi Foreign Minister, also signed the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council.   

His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received Thursday a copy of the credentials of ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the State Prince Saad bin Mansour bin Saad bin Saud bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished the ambassador success in fulfilling his duties, affirming the commitment to providing all necessary support to strengthen bilateral relations and foster closer co-operation across various fields.  

Saudi Arabia is open to cancelling some projects in its Vision 2030 programme, the kingdom’s finance minister said, in some of the strongest public comments yet on the country’s willingness to backtrack on costly developments.“We have no ego — absolutely no ego,” Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said in a briefing in Riyadh. “If we announce something and we need to adjust it, accelerate it and make it a priority more than others, or defer or cancel it, we will without blinking.”Saudi officials have widely telegraphed an ongoing review of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s multi-trillion dollar economic transformation plan that includes dozens of projects from desert ski slopes to gaming cities. But comments until now had mostly focused on delays or downsizing, rather than cancellation.The hardening in tone aligns with the newly-released Saudi 2026 budget statement, which puts emphasis on the push to spend more efficiently amid challenges stemming from low oil prices and persistent budget deficits.“Spending efficiency doesn’t mean cutting spending,” al-Jadaan said. “It means decreasing spending on some items to increase on others.”When Bloomberg asked if potential cancellation could include projects at futuristic desert city Neom, he said: “It’s for the Public Investment Fund to decide.”Several parts of Neom — a project that has long been at the heart of the Vision 2030 portfolio — are facing delays and construction challenges, Bloomberg has reported. That includes Trojena, the site racing against a deadline to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and the Line, the 100-mile long skyscrapers set to undergo a strategic review for feasibility.The $1tn PIF, the entity tasked with driving the agenda to diversify the economy away from oil, is due to unveil an updated investment strategy in early 2026. That’s expected to include more of a focus on domestic companies and sectors including technology and tourism.Al-Jadaan mentioned in the Riyadh briefing that the Finance Ministry’s re-calibration exercise included collecting data from government agencies on their strategies and financing needs, then deciding a course of action based on relevance of projects to the diversification drive.The PIF is now doing “something similar to what we did, reprioritising and making sure that their initial plans, now that they have the details of these projects, are recalibrated to ensure that they’re delivering what they are meant to deliver,” said al-Jadaan, a board member.Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said al-Jadaan’s comments on the potential cancellation of projects gives confidence that the government can pull back on capital expenditure, while noting that managing spending on investments with returns will remain critical.Farouk Soussa at Goldman Sachs Group Inc also welcomed the remarks, saying they show a willingness to adjust plans in line with economic and financial realities.“The more transparent they are, the more reassuring they can be that financial and economic considerations will trump the social and political drivers of investment, the more favourably markets are likely to view the investment environment.” 

Saudi Arabia and Oman kick off their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 campaigns with a Group B opener on Tuesday at Education City Stadium.The group also includes Morocco and Comoros, making it one of the most competitive groups in the tournament. Both Saudi Arabia and Oman will be targeting a strong start to boost their qualification chances.Saudi Arabia enter the match with high confidence after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Green Falcons are also two-time Arab Cup champions, having lifted the title in 1998 and 2002.Head coach Herve Renard has named a strong squad led by Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari, alongside Saleh Abu Shamat and goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi. The lineup is further strengthened by defender Hassan Tambakti and midfielders Mohamed Kanno and Abdulrahman Al Ayoud.Oman, coached by Portugal's Carlos Queiroz, aim to continue their recent upward trajectory with a balanced squad blending youthful energy and seasoned experience. Key players include Ahmed Al Khamisi, Harib Al Saadi and Mahmoud Al Mashifri.Matches between Saudi Arabia and Oman are traditionally intense and closely contested due to their long-standing regional rivalry. Tuesday's encounter is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round as both teams chase an early advantage in the race for qualification.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met Wednesday his office at the Amiri Diwan with Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and the accompanying delegation, on the occasion of his visit to the country. At the outset of the meeting, His Royal Highness conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al -Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, to His Highness the Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness, and the Qatari people further progress and prosperity. In turn, His Highness the Amir entrusted Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud with his greetings to  King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, wishing them good health and wellness, and for the Saudi people continued progress and prosperity. During the meeting, the two sides discussed fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to support and develop them, in addition to exchanging views on several topics and issues of mutual interest.

Saudi priorities include defense, technology, nuclear powerBin Salman welcomed with flyover, honor guardTrump to urge normalization of ties with IsraelUS-Saudi business deals expected to be struckPresident Donald Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House Tuesday, with the Saudi de facto ruler seeking to deepen ties with Washington. Making his first White House visit in more than seven years, the crown prince was greeted with a lavish display of pomp and ceremony presided over by Trump on the South Lawn, complete with a military honour guard, a cannon salute and a flyover by US warplanes.Talks between the two leaders are expected to advance security ties, civil nuclear co-operation and multibillion-dollar business deals with the kingdom. The meeting underscores a key relationship -- between the world’s biggest economy and the top oil exporter.Trump greeted bin Salman with a smile and a handshake on the red carpet, while dozens of military personnel lined the perimeter. The limousine was escorted up the South Drive by a US Army mounted honour guard. The two leaders then looked skyward as fighter jets roared overhead, before Trump led his guest inside. Before sitting down for talks, the two leaders chatted amiably as Trump gave bin Salman a tour of presidential portraits lining the wall outside the Oval Office.During a day of White House diplomacy, bin Salman will hold talks with Trump in the Oval Office, have lunch in the Cabinet Room and attend a formal black-tie dinner in the evening, giving it many of the trappings of a state visit. US and Saudi flags festooned lamp posts in front of the White House.Trump expects to build on a $600bn Saudi investment pledge made during his visit to the kingdom in May, which will include the announcement of dozens of targeted projects, a senior US administration official said. The US and Saudi Arabia were ready to strike deals for defence sales, enhanced co-operation on civil nuclear energy and a multibillion-dollar investment in US artificial intelligence infrastructure, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Chase Koepka is injury-free and ready to battle his way back to LIV Golf for the first time since being relegated in 2023.The 31-year-old American is setting his sights on LIV’s Promotions event in January to complete a comeback to the Saudi-backed league, two years after losing his spot with only four top-40 finishes in his second season.“For me, the nice thing about the Promotions event is that it’s in Florida, it’s a home event,” Koepka told Bunkered. “I haven’t been able to play it for the last two years because of injury, so it would be great to have that opportunity. Good golf takes care of itself.”Shortly after his 2023 relegation, Koepka suffered an offseason shoulder injury that required major surgery and kept him away from competition for more than a year.Koepka returned to the golf course in January, He enjoyed a solid stretch before more recent struggles landed him at 44th in the International Series Order of Merit, well off the top-two mark that would have secured a place in LIV next year.“It has been up and down,” Koepka said of his recent play, after finishing T43 at the Singapore Open last weekend. “I’ve played some solid weeks, but I haven’t quite put myself in contention to win. It’s not that I’m playing badly - just not well enough to be up there with a chance on Sunday. That’s the next step for me.”Koepka’s 8-under-par score at Singapore was matched by Anthony Kim, who is looking to continue a comeback of his own.Kim returned to professional golf early last year after a 12-year hiatus during which he struggled with addiction and suicidal ideation. Although he was relegated in August after almost two full seasons with LIV, he hopes the January Promotions event will be his ticket to return.Regardless, the former Ryder Cup winner said he plans to make most of his pro starts next year on the Asian Tour in International Series events.“It is a long way over here. So as much as I want to compete, you know, part of my comeback to golf is being with my family,” Kim said. “And it is a lot of trouble for the family, so we will pick some events to play.”The 40-year-old also shared his future commitment to the sport.“This is something I am looking forward to and yes, regardless, I am going to play for a few more years,” he said. “I do not know how long I want to play golf for, but this is something I am committed to. I am motivated to play as good as I can, work as hard as I can, and you know, the results will speak for themselves.”

The stage is set for a grand battle between Saudi Arabia and Iraq when they meet in their decisive AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Playoffs Group B tie Tuesday at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah.It’s a winners-take-all match with the victors booking their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 while the beaten side will advance to a playoff against the Group A runners-up, with the winners to bid for one final chance in the FIFA Playoff Tournament.Both achieved wins against Indonesia with Saudi Arabia’s 3-2 success giving them a slight advantage over Iraq - who picked up a 1-0 win - with the group hosts needing only a draw to take the automatic berth.Herve Renard’s side have had better recovery time, having played on Wednesday but the Frenchman will be without midfielder Mohamed Kanno who was sent off in stoppage time against Indonesia.Renard’s faith in the dynamic 23-year-old Saleh Alshamat - who only had three international caps prior to the Indonesia match - paid off handsomely with the Al Ahli Saudi FC forward netting the equaliser against Indonesia. Feras Albrikan is also in good form, having bagged a brace.It is the defence, however, that is a cause of concern for the French tactician with Indonesia registering 17 shots, 10 of which were on target with Renard urging his players to keep their concentration for this crucial encounter.“What we did before, it’s nothing up to now because if we don’t achieve our goal tomorrow you won’t remember the game against Indonesia, the game we played in Bahrain so the most important is tomorrow,” said Renard.“I’m lucky because I have some players with experience like Saleh Al Shehri, Salem Al Dawsari our captain, now Hassan Al Tambakti is getting more experience. I always tell them to stay focused, it’s not always easy with the Saudi players but the most important is when they are listening, so we prepare for this game very quietly. We are concentrated on our goal and we don’t have to do something else, just focus on us. This is the most important."Head coach Graham Arnold is charting an appearance on the global stage for just the second time for Iraq.Iraq only failed to score in three of the 16 matches since Round 2 of the Qualifiers but the availability of topscorer Aymen Hussein remains in doubt after the forward wasn’t in the matchday squad on Saturday.Like his counterpart Renard, Arnold will also have to contend with a suspension with centre-back Zaid Tahseen unavailable following his red card in the closing minutes of the tie against Indonesia but the Australian tactician believes that his Iraq side will be heading into the match under less pressure than their rivals."Everything is great," said Arnold. "It’s a very special game tomorrow night and it’s one I’m really excited about."I think the pressure’s more on Saudi. They have in their brain two ways to qualify, that is draw or win. We have one way and that’s win. So our full focus is going out and go for it."We’ve already captured the spot for the playoff in November and we go for it because Saudi will have 90 percent of the fans, the pressure from the media, pressure from FIFA so the pressure is on Saudi."

Saudi Arabia have been crowned champions of the AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025, after claiming a 2-0 win against the UAE in the final match held at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha.The tournament brought together young football talents from the region to compete for the coveted trophy. This was the first time that the competition was held under the auspices of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF).“Over the past two weeks, we witnessed the phenomenal talents of young players from the Arabian Gulf. The successful delivery of this tournament once again showcased Qatar’s commitment towards supporting emerging football talents from the region, while uniting fans to celebrate our shared passion for football. Congratulations to all the players who took part, and to Saudi Arabia for clinching the trophy,” said Jassim Sultan al-Rumaihi, AGCFF Secretary General.The AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup is a precursor to a spectacular line-up of tournaments scheduled for this winter. Hosts Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 that will take place from November 3-27 at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex at Aspire Zone. This will be followed by the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup from 1-18 December. Fans can purchase tickets for both tournaments at www.roadtoqatar.qa. In addition, Qatar is also set to host the AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 from December 4-16, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025, which will take place on December 10, 13 and 17.