The Saudis scored twice during their historic win over Argentina, but their sudden and resounding victory achieved a bigger goal as Arab communities lined up behind them to celebrate the toppling of Lionel Messi’s teammates.
The Saudis celebrated their victory over Argentina noisily in Doha, with fans from several Arab countries waving their flags, including Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.
“This is a historic victory for Saudi Arabia. A great victory for all Arabs,” said Jordanian Ahmed Al-Qassem, who draped his country’s flag in the supporters’ area overlooking the Gulf waters.
And the young man continued in a low voice: “Maybe I’m not a supporter of the Saudi regime’s policies, but I’m happy with this great football victory.”
Immediately following the end of the Doha meeting, Qatari citizens honked their horns and waved the two countries’ flags, less than two years after the end of the more than three-and-a-half year Saudi-led boycott against Qatar.
And on Wednesday, a young Qatari woman who introduced herself as Anoud said: “There was a political dispute between the two governments, but it ended, and in the end we are one people for a Gulf.”
And he continued at the door of a shopping center with his daughter: “We have turned the page of the boycott behind us”.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed relations with Doha in June 2017, accusing it of being close to Iran and supporting extremist groups, which Qatar has denied. But in January 2021, these countries agreed to restore their relations with the wealthy emirate.
And on Tuesday, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the match, wearing a green scarf the color of the Saudi national team shirt. A few days earlier, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was present at the opening meeting, wearing a burgundy scarf symbolizing Qatar.
Two towers in Doha have their glass facades illuminated with the green Saudi flag, in a scenario unimaginable less than two years ago.
Qatari newspapers issued on Wednesday celebrated the big Saudi victory. The “flag” was titled in its sporting appendix, “apart from it (his deed) by Al-Akhdar … a resounding historian”, while Al-Watan wrote: “Oh, my peace be upon you, O Arabia Saudi.”
Sports Arabism
The Arab world is divided over many conflicts and issues that raise conflicting political positions, from the Palestinian territories and Yemen to Syria, Libya and others. Sectarian differences often invade these conflicts.
Saudi Arabia itself has been leading a military coalition in Yemen since 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government.
Fireworks were set off in the government-controlled Yemeni city of Taiz on Tuesday evening to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s victory.
Political science professor at Cairo University, Nevine Massad, deemed the victory an “emotional moment par excellence” and “a test of the Arab self”, especially as it came “on merit and in front of a great team and a candidate for the title” of the tournament.
“Maybe it is no longer possible to achieve political Arabism, but there are different forms of Arabism among peoples… sporting Arabism,” he told AFP.
He added: “The victory demonstrates that the Arabs have more that unites them than divides them.”
Social media filled with publications celebrating the Saudi victory, featuring a large number of images mocking the Argentine team.
Congratulations also came from Arab leaders after the unexpected Saudi victory, including Hamas policy bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, UAE Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, was lit up with the Kingdom flag.
Emirati political science professor Abdul Khaleq Abdullah tweeted: “You have made us happy, may God make your hearts happy, ye Arab heroes,” adding: “A million congratulations to the brothers in Saudi Arabia.”
You have made us happy, may God make your hearts happy, you Arab heroes
#World_Cup_Qatar_2022 pic.twitter.com/nxVaV6De1A– Abdulkhaleq Abdulla (@Abdulkhaleq_UAE) November 22, 2022
Arab joy doubled on Tuesday, with Tunisia snatching a draw from mighty Denmark, then Morocco another point from Croatia, runners-up in 2018, but all attention remained on the unexpected Saudi victory.
Saudi Arabia’s victory reignited their fans’ ambitions as they progressed past the group stage for the first time since the 1994 World Cup.
“We feel that all Arabs are here behind us. Our joy is one,” said young Khaled Abdullah, 23, who wore his country’s white jersey, hoping this would help his country, with the influx of Saudi fans, to “go far in the league.”
