Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup, Manga Arabia to publish ‘Road To 2034’ special manga

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The manga will be available in Japanese, English and Arabic. (Supplied)
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The manga will be available in Japanese, English and Arabic. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup, Manga Arabia to publish ‘Road To 2034’ special manga

  • Special edition manga is part of SAFF’s efforts to build on the excitement as the Kingdom prepares to host the first 48-team FIFA World Cup held in a single nation
  • Partnership highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambition to celebrate its culture and legacy as part of its FIFA World Cup bid

DUBAI: The Saudi Arabia 2034 FIFA World Cup has entered a partnership with Saudi Research and Media Group’s Manga Arabia to release a special edition manga titled “Road to 2034” which aims to capture the imagination of young football fans and manga enthusiasts around the world.

The manga is a part of the Saudi Football Federation’s efforts to build on the excitement as the Kingdom prepares to host the first 48-team FIFA World Cup held in a single nation. Available in Japanese, English, and Arabic, it will be released both in print and digitally. 

The partnership highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambition to celebrate its culture and legacy as part of its FIFA World Cup bid, offering an opportunity to connect with youth across the world.

The collaboration also emphasizes the desire to inspire the next generation of young footballers to pursue their dreams through the powerful medium of storytelling.

The announcement falls on the same day as the World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Saudi Arabia and Japan, which is taking place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. 

“Our bid unites our nation through a passion for the beautiful game and is powered by the dreams and ambitions of over 32 million people,” Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup, said. “Through this manga, we are showing how our dream towards hosting the FIFA World Cup in ten years’ time is about inspiring future generations.

“We want to ensure we leave behind a lasting legacy. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to engaging our young population — 63 percent of which are under 30 — in ways that resonate with their interests while also showcasing and utilizing Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage,” he added.

Rashid Al-Rashed, CEO of SRMG, also emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying it resonates with future generations, empowers local talents and promotes storytelling.  

Manga Arabia’s General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Essam Bukhary shared that the partnership highlights the Kingdom’s position in sports globally with the help of young Saudi talents, adding that the manga industry plays a huge role in society as it inspires future generations. 


Lindsay Lohan steps out in Dubai

Updated 17 January 2026
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Lindsay Lohan steps out in Dubai

DUBAI: Dubai-based Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan was spotted in the city this week alongside her husband, Kuwaiti financier Bader Shammas, as the couple stepped out in coordinated black looks.

Lohan was wearing a sleek black long-sleeved mini dress with a high neckline and softly draped silhouette, featuring gathered ruching across the skirt with a tie detail at the waist. She paired the look with pointed black heels and kept her accessories minimal, opting for delicate earrings and a statement ring from Italian fine jewelry label Bijouq.

The couple were attending the opening of Japanese restaurant Nobu’s new outpost at One Za’abeel.

Lohan has been based in Dubai for more than 10 years, where she has built a quieter, more private life away from Hollywood.

She married Shammas in 2022, and the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Luai, in 2023.

The actress has since continued to balance family life in the UAE with her acting career, including her recent return to film and television projects.

Lohan most recently starred in “Freakier Friday,” the Disney sequel to “Freaky Friday,” which was released in August 2025 and marked her return to theatrical film acting alongside Jamie Lee Curtis.

It follows another body-swap chaos — this time across generations. Lohan and Lee Curtis return as Anna and Tess, but the story expands to include Anna’s own daughter, creating a multi-generational switch that complicates family dynamics even further.

The film explores motherhood, identity and how perspectives change as roles reverse again.

Lohan is also set to star in and executive-produce the Hulu limited series “Count My Lies,” an adaptation of Sophie Stava’s novel that is currently in development and marks one of her first major television roles.

She will play Violet Lockhart alongside co-lead Shailene Woodley, who stars as Sloane Caraway, a compulsive liar whose small deceptions land her a job as a nanny for the seemingly perfect Lockhart family. Kit Harington has also joined the cast in a leading role.

 

As Sloane becomes increasingly entangled in Violet and her husband Jay’s world, hidden secrets begin to unravel, revealing dangerous truths beneath the family’s polished exterior. The series does not yet have an official release date.