Arab Nations Unite Behind World Cup Teams in Qatar

Wearing Tunisian, Algerian, Moroccan flags, banners of support in the stands, supporting the Arab teams... The Arab countries are finding their unity through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Arabs have supported all the Arab teams in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, which began on November 20 and continues until December 2. Saudi Arabia delivered the first shock of the tournament, overturning double world champions Argentina (2-1), and Morocco defeated Belgium, ranked second in the FIFA rankings. Victories applauded by Arab personalities and supporters, but also the Arab press.

"When Saudi Arabia plays, I’m Saudi and when Morocco plays, all the Arabs... are Moroccans!" rejoices Mohammad al-Mansouri, who came specially from Spain to follow the Morocco-Belgium match (2-0), in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. He says he has the impression that Morocco and Saudi Arabia were both playing at home in Qatar and that this may have helped them reach new heights. Other countries receiving the support of Arab fans: host Qatar and Tunisia. The former was unable to shine in their matches and is the first team eliminated from the 2022 World Cup. The latter is still in the competition. Although the chances of winning the victory are slim, the Tunisian players will not lack support at the 45,000-seat Education City Stadium located west of Doha.

"Football unites nations. All Arab and Gulf peoples support any (Arab) team," said Saudi supporter Khaled al-Asaimi, referring to the tone set by the leaders of Qatar and Saudi Arabia at the start of the competition. The results have shown that the Arabs "constitute one nation, and (the World Cup) repairs what politics has damaged," notes Kareem al-Azzi, a Moroccan supporter. "We are brothers."