International visitors flying to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways will automatically receive complimentary medical travel insurance for up to 15 days, under a new initiative launching in July 2026.

The cover will be provided at no additional cost on eligible Etihad-operated flights from July to December 2026, with no application required. It will apply only to passengers whose point of origin and point of sale are outside the UAE.

Travellers using Etihad’s stopover programme in Abu Dhabi will also be covered during their stay, subject to terms and conditions.

The initiative has been launched in partnership with Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and will be underwritten and administered by Daman National Health Insurance Company.

Officials say the scheme is designed to simplify travel planning and enhance the visitor experience, particularly during peak tourism periods when the emirate is targeting higher stopover and leisure traffic.

“This initiative ensures we meet that demand with an exceptional, end-to-end visitor experience,” said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.

Etihad’s chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said the offer would allow passengers to focus on their visit rather than pre-travel formalities, calling it an example of closer cooperation between an airline and a destination.

Abu Dhabi has been expanding its tourism offerings in recent years, with major attractions including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as it seeks to strengthen its position as a global stopover hub.

Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was transformed into a global stage on Thursday Night as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway, marking the beginning of the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.

A vibrant opening ceremony showcased a blend of Mexican culture, music and modern spectacle, with performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy. The ceremony was designed to reflect both the heritage of the host nation and the global nature of the tournament, which for the first time will be staged across three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Before the first whistle of the competition, the atmosphere inside the historic stadium reached a crescendo as thousands of fans filled the stands, waving flags and lighting up the arena in a sea of colour. The Estadio Azteca, already steeped in football history, has now become the first venue in the world to host matches across three separate FIFA World Cups, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.

In a further highlight of the ceremony, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the tournament’s official anthem, adding a classical flourish to an evening otherwise defined by high-energy performances and large-scale choreography.

FIFA officials described the opening event as a “symbolic bridge between continents”, underlining the expanded format of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams — up from 32 — and a total of 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities across North America. The expansion is intended to increase global participation and bring the tournament to a wider range of supporters.

Immediately after the ceremony, hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, kicking off what is expected to be a month-long football spectacle. The match began under heavy security and heightened global attention, with millions watching around the world.

The expanded format has also brought logistical challenges, with teams required to travel across vast distances between venues in multiple countries. Organisers have emphasised investments in transport infrastructure, stadium upgrades and sustainability measures aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tournament.

The 2026 edition also arrives at a time when football’s global profile continues to grow rapidly, with record broadcast deals, increased digital streaming access and heightened commercial interest from sponsors. Analysts expect the tournament to break previous viewership records, particularly given its tri-nation hosting model and expanded team lineup.

Estadio Azteca itself remains one of football’s most storied venues. It famously hosted Brazil’s Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” performances in 1986. Its role in opening the 2026 tournament has been widely seen as a nod to football’s rich history in Mexico, while also signalling a new era for the sport.

As fireworks lit up the Mexico City skyline following the ceremony, attention now turns to the next phase of the tournament’s opening schedule, with matches set to continue across North America in what promises to be the most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged.

For fans, players and organisers alike, the message from Mexico City was clear: the world’s biggest sporting event has begun, and it is set to be bigger, broader and more ambitious than ever before.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is entering a decisive, services-led growth phase in its IT sector, as enterprises and governments accelerate large-scale digital transformation initiatives. Investments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, and cybersecurity are reshaping technology priorities, with implementation, integration, and managed services gaining prominence over traditional software-led models.

Industry analysis by Grand View Research (GVR) reveals that IT services currently account for around 21–22% of total IT spending across MENA, a share expected to rise to between 26 and 28% by the end of the decade. The region’s professional IT services market, valued at USD 33.9 billion (Dh124.5 billion) in 2024, is forecast to grow to nearly USD 58.3 billion (Dh214 billion) by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 9.5%.

Sourav Bhanja, Middle East Head of GVR, said: “Many B2B IT services firms in the region continue to underinvest in digital engagement. Professional platforms such as LinkedIn remain underutilised, while company websites often lack strong case studies, sector-specific storytelling, and clear positioning.”

Government-led digitalisation programmes, sovereign cloud deployments, smart city initiatives, and national data strategies, coupled with rising enterprise adoption across sectors such as banking and financial services, healthcare, energy, logistics, and public infrastructure, are driving this shift. As hyperscalers and global technology firms expand their regional footprint, demand for localised integration, migration, and managed services continues to accelerate.

Bhanja also emphasised the importance of leadership visibility in the region’s competitive IT market: “Technical capability alone is no longer enough. Firms that combine deep technical expertise with consistent marketing, strong leadership visibility, and clear communication of value are the ones most likely to succeed in the MENA market.”

The analysis highlights that with growing competition among IT services providers, market visibility and differentiation have emerged as critical growth drivers. Integrated, always-on digital marketing strategies are increasingly vital, as many B2B IT services firms underutilise channels such as LinkedIn, websites, thought leadership content, newsletters, blogs, infographics, and short-form video to engage decision-makers.

Market data also indicates a broader shift towards digital-first engagement. Digital advertising spend in the Middle East, estimated at USD 32 billion (Dh117 billion) in 2024, is projected to rise sharply to USD 81.4 billion (Dh298.9 billion) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.7%. In contrast, the regional events and conferences market is expected to expand at a more modest 7.1% CAGR, reflecting changing enterprise marketing priorities.

Grand View Research concluded that IT services firms combining technical depth with strong market communication, data-driven marketing, and visible leadership will be best positioned to capture the next phase of growth across MENA.