Yes, it is the first Arab joy at the global football event that has robbed Arab football fans of sleep, owing to the timing of matches that are played mostly in the early hours of the morning according to our region's time zone — particularly as the tournament coincides with summer and weekly holidays. Caught between a passion for following the games and the demands of work, football fans have found themselves facing a difficult equation since the launch of the 2026 World Cup.
The Qatari national team was the first to put smiles on Arab faces, securing a well-deserved draw against Switzerland — one goal apiece — in the opening match of Group B, claiming a precious point at the start of their World Cup campaign during the country's second participation in the tournament.
Qatar's distinction was not confined to what the players delivered on the pitch; it extended to the stands, which were adorned with Qatari flags and packed with fans wearing national dress, reaffirming once again the bond between the Qatari people and their national team.
Also drawing attention was the organising committee's decision to display the words of the Qatari national anthem in Arabic on giant screens during the opening ceremony — a civilised gesture that won the admiration of Arab audiences and evoked memories of the great organisational success Doha achieved at the 2022 World Cup, which remains alive in the memory of football fans around the world.
Morocco, meanwhile, delivered a fresh lesson in ambition and determination when it held the Brazilian national team to a draw in one of the most prominent matches of the first round. The Atlas Lions carried themselves with the bearing of champions who fear no one, producing a high-quality performance that confirmed their historic achievement at the Qatar World Cup was no accident, but the fruit of long-term work and a clear vision.
Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Morocco's level, affirming that Morocco has become one of the major teams on the international stage. The Atlas Lions now set their sights on their next match against Scotland, seeking a victory that would bring them closer to advancing to the next round.
The Arab opening at the 2026 World Cup sends powerful messages of optimism and confirms that Arab football has become capable of competing with the world's best — and that Qatar and Morocco carry the hopes of Arab fans for a continued and honourable presence on football's greatest stage. And God is the guide to what is right.