His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated the Moroccan national team following their qualification last night for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, after their match against Canada ended with 3 goals for Morocco and none for Canada.
His Highness wrote on the X platform: "A thousand congratulations to the Atlas Lions on their victory today, a thousand congratulations on qualifying for the World Cup quarter-finals — a strong performance and a fighting spirit that fills us with joy and pride."
His Highness also extended his congratulations to the brotherly people of Morocco and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, wishing the national team success in its upcoming matches.
The Egyptian national team had, the night before, written a new chapter in its football history after defeating Australia on penalties 4-2, following a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time, at Dallas stadium.
Egypt qualified for the Round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time, marking the finest World Cup campaign in its history. The team will face Argentina next Tuesday.
With these two victories, Arab capitals and cities from the Gulf to the Atlantic turned into scenes of widespread celebration, rejoicing in the achievements of the two teams. The reverberations of the wins extended beyond the pitch, painting an exceptional picture of brotherly solidarity in which feelings of national pride blended with spontaneous sporting joy.
Public squares and shopping centres in the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the Arab Gulf states witnessed boisterous celebrations, with thousands of citizens and members of the diaspora communities gathering to chant and sing — scenes that were repeated across other Arab countries.