The Arab world in particular witnessed a rare moment of shared ecstasy. The fragmented region is brimming with avid, obsession-level football fans who are particularly enamored with South American teams. And now they just witnessed the incredible spectacle of one of their own nations beating the team whose jerseys are must-have fashion items for their children.
Hend Amry, a popular Muslim voice on Twitter, noted how the win is celebrated by Arabs “regardless of regional politics.”
“In fact I’d say this [Saudi] win will have done more for regional unity than if the host country won its game—now there’s regional buy-in, vested interest and identification of national pride with a tournament hosted by a rival,” she wrote.
“This win was an opportunity to remember why football is such a dynamic force in the Middle East,” she told the Post. “It has the power to bring people from different nations and across different political contexts like nothing else. And when that unbelievable goal clinched a historic win for KSA, Qatar’s World Cup was truly celebrated as the Arab World’s World Cup,” she said, using an abbreviation for Saudi Arabia.
She also noted that since their reconciliation Saudi Arabia and Qatar would be better described as “former” rivals.
Emotions ran especially high around the Persian Gulf after Qatar’s ruler, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, was filmed waving the Saudi flag around his shoulders — unimaginable just a few years ago in 2017, when a Saudi-led blockade severed diplomatic relations and transport links with Qatar. The air, land and sea blockade was only lifted in January 2021.
People tweeted the hashtag “Our Gulf is one” alongside the photos of the two leaders, among other images, including a clip of an interview with goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais saying, “today, as Arabs, we are playing on our land, and among our fans. This gives you an advantage on our opponents, whoever they may be.”
In Egypt, a popular news website sent an emailed a newsletter titled “Good on ya, Saudi,” telling its subscribers that today they are “working with big grins on our faces after Saudi’s shock 2-1 victory against Argentina in the first of today’s World Cup matches.”
In Lebanon, a journalist with Al Mayadeen, a news channel whose leanings are generally anti-Saudi, tweeted about the performance of the Saudi goalkeeper, saying he was “practically defending the Kaaba not the goal posts,” referring to the holy building revered by all Muslims, located in the heart of the holy city of Mecca.
Saudi social media, however, was especially in a joyous uproar. Many public figures such as religious leaders were quick to ascribe the win to the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the de facto ruler, in addition to thanking his father, King Salman.
But the real celebrities were the team members themselves, especially the goalkeeper. Saudis posted their photos alongside hashtags such as “Our Falcons are our pride” and “Our green ahead of all.”
Fan videos of player Salem al-Dawsari scoring the winning goal at 53 minutes peppered Saudi social media accounts, overlaid with love ballads and live commentary from Arab football announcers — many of whom are celebrities of their own right, famous for their impressively overwrought prose and explosive energy.
Turki al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Entertainment and a close adviser two the crown prince, had tweeted a photo two days before the match of Argentinian fans, hands half-covering their faces as they nervously watched a game. “Soon,” the caption read.
After the Saudi upset, he replied to his previous tweet pointing out his prediction, and congratulated the team, the crown prince, and others including “the great Saudi people.” He also announced free access for the remainder of the day to Riyadh-based carnivals and recreational complexes such as Winter Wonderland and Boulevard World.
Subsequently it was announced that Wednesday will be a public holiday in Saudi Arabia.
Siobhan O’Grady in Cairo contributed to this report.
