TOP 10 in the WORLD – Page 2 – Arabian Records (1st post : Eid Al Fitr – 01st Shawwal 1439 (AH) / 15th June 2018 ) / (BETA testing – Research

ABU DHABI, UAE: How Manchester City Evolved under Sheikh Mansour’s Leadership to become European Champion

The managerial ability of Pep Guardiola was backed by Sheikh Mansour’s long-term project as City won a historic treble.

When Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Court, bought Manchester City in 2008, the club was languishing in the mid-table of the English Premier League.

It had just finished the previous season in ninth position, 32 points behind Manchester United, the champion of England and its famously successful city rival.

United then was brimming with world-class talent.

A team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Edwin van der Sar, United had also won the Champions League in 2008.

It was Sir Alex Ferguson’s second European triumph with United as manager following the famous treble-winning season in 1999.

So it was a couple of months after United enjoyed one of its greatest seasons that Sheikh Mansour made his foray into English football with a club that was never able to sit alongside the elites in the sport.

But the visionary UAE leader went on to change the footballing landscape in such a way that City is now football’s ultimate aristocrat.

So how did City, who completed a historic treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League this season, become the most dominant team after Sheikh Mansour took over the club?

Long-term goal

Brazilian star Robinho joined Man City from Real Madrid in 2008. — Twitter

City did not become successful overnight despite the takeover from Sheikh Mansour in 2008.

It made a slow and steady progress and one that was backed by Sheikh Mansour in every step.

In the first season after the takeover, City could only finish 10th in the league despite acquiring a big-name player from Real Madrid, Robinho, the Brazilian superstar.

But City made gradual improvement and next season in 2010, the team became stronger after the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Kolo Toure.

Chelsea, United, Arsenal and Tottenham were the top four teams that season as City finished fifth, narrowly missing out on a place in the Champions League.

FA Cup triumph

The next season in 2011, City finally ended its trophy drought. A Carlos Tevez-inspired City won the FA Cup that season with a 1-0 win over Stoke City in the final – it was the team’s first major triumph since 1976.

City had reached the final with victory over United in the semifinal, the club’s first success in a knockout game against the bitter rival since 1975.

City then went on to finish third in the league, qualifying directly for the Champions League in what was another landmark for the club.

Premier League ecstasy

After breaking into the top-three of the Premier League, City turned on the style in England.

Sergio Aguero had just joined City from Atletico Madrid and the Argentina star made an instant impact.

City thrashed Tottenham 5-1 and humiliated United 6-1, signalling its arrival on the big stage as the big contender for the title.

The battle for the league title, though, was not easy with United bouncing back only to fall again.

It went to the last day with City needing a win against the Queens Park Rangers to pip United for the title.

But City was trailing 2-1 until the 91st minute in the dramatic last game of the season.

The Blues though scored an equalizer in the 92nd minute before Aguero found the winner in the last minute of injury time with a moment of magic, sparking wild celebrations on the field and in the stands.

It was City’s first league title in 44 years and it was the start of a golden era for the club.

Guardiola arrives

City had added one more Premier League title in 2014. Two years later, the club hired Pep Guardiola, who famously led Lionel Messi’s Barcelona to glorious triumphs during his four-year stint as manager of the Catalan club.

Guardiola arrived in City after a two-year spell at Bayern Munich.

A man famous for building teams that play eye-catching football, Guardiola was entrusted with the responsibility of making City a serial winner as well as an aesthetically pleasing team.

The Spanish coach imposed his style on the team and it won the league in 2017-2018 by collecting the highest points for a season.

City retained the Premier League title next season, its first successful defence of the title in history.

With world-class players in the team, City was producing mesmeric football as it also won two more league titles in 2021 and 2022.

But the biggest dream — the Champions League title — remained unfulfilled after defeat to Chelsea in the 2021 All-England final.

Historic treble

Sheikh Mansour’s Manchester City was finally rewarded in Europe for its perseverance.

City produced another masterclass in beautiful and brilliant football as Guardiola’s team won its third straight Premier League title, overcoming a spirited challenge from Arsenal.

The club then beat city rival United in the final to win the FA Cup.

And once it outplayed Real Madrid, the most dominant team in the history of European football, in the Champions League semifinal, City became the overwhelming favourite in the final against Inter Milan.

The Italians put up a big fight in the Istanbul final, but the superior quality of City made the difference as Rodri’s sumptuous goal separated the victor from the vanquished.

City’s wait to be European champion was finally over as it also became the first team since Manchester United to complete the treble.

It has taken the team 15 years since the takeover from Sheikh Mansour to scale the highest peak.

The long-term vision of Sheikh Mansour helped City become the king of European football.

The club has won seven Premier League, three FA Cup, six League Cup and the 2023 Champions League title in these 15 trophy-laden years under Sheikh Mansour’s leadership.

“One of the main reasons why this club became what we are is because of the people from Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansour, took over the club,” Guardiola said. “Without that, we would not be here.”

The biggest tribute City can pay to Sheikh Mansour now is by becoming the first team since Real Madrid to defend the Champions League title.

source/content: khaleejtimes.com (headline edited)

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Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Court, attends the Champions League final. — Reuters

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MANCHESTER (U.K.) / ABU DHABI , UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

EGYPT: Squash: Sherbini and Farag Claim PSA World Championship Titles in Chicago

Egyptian duo Nour El Sherbini and Ali Farag retained their respective world titles in Chicago with straight-game wins over Nouran Gohar and Karim Abdel-Gawad early on Friday.

World No.1 Sherbini needed 38 minutes to beat Nouran Gohar 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 12-10) and clinch her seventh World Championship title.

“I am over the moon to win my seventh World Championship,” El Sherbini was quoted as saying on PSA World Tour after the game.

The 27-year-old El Sherbini was in superb form in Chicago, winning her third World Championship title. She is now just one short of the current women’s record of eight, held by Malaysian legend Nicol David.

Her streak of five women’s World Championship titles in a row is matched only by David.

“It is huge and special for me and I cannot believe I did it, I am so happy,” the Egyptian squash star said.

I am happy that I am closer to Nicol’s [David] record. She is a legend and what she did was amazing and unbelievable,” El-Sherbini said, adding “I have always been looking up to her, so to put my name beside her is something special and huge for me.”

The men’s final saw World No.4 Ali Farag become the second Egyptian ever after Amr Shabana to win four men’s World Championship trophies.

The 31-year-old Farag needed 44 minutes to beat Karim Abdel Gawad 3-0 (12-10, 11-6, 11-6).

“The emotions are so raw, it is so hard to put it into words,” Farag said. “It is so special. No matter how many times you go through it, it is even more special than the time before. Especially against such a champion like Karim, I am super relieved and super happy,” he added.

“Two months ago, we played a practice match and we were limping, and the standard would not have even earned us a place in the World Championship, let alone the final. To come all the way through to reach the final is a very proud achievement for the two of us.”

Farag – like El Sherbini before him – has now won all three World Championships held in Chicago.

The PSA World Championships is the most prestigious tournament in squash, with $1,000,000 in total player compensation split equally between the male and female athletes.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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pix: worldsquashchamps.com

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EGYPT

EGYPT: Shehab Allam Breaks World Record for Longest Swim Wearing Handcuffs by Swimming 11 Km.

Shehab Allam, a swimmer and coach from Dubai, has broken the Guiness World Record for the longest swim wearing handcuffs by swimming over 11km (6.8 miles) continuously with the cuffs on.

With his swim, Allam broke the record previously held by American Ben Katzman, who set the old record by swimming 8.6km (5.3 miles) in a Virginia swimming pool in February 2022.

Notably, the 31 year-old Allam did not opt to complete his swim in a pool, instead using a marked area of approximately 164 yards in the Arabian Gulf, swimming laps between two buoys. During his attempt, he had an official with him to ensure his recorded distance was accurate.

According to Allam, he hit the 50 lap mark, surpassing the previous record, and made it his goal to hit 70 laps to surpass 11km. He told The National, “At 50 laps I realized I had gone past the record, so kept going. I hit the 10km mark and then felt good so kept on swimming until I had done 70 laps — so it was more than 11km in the end.”

“It feels amazing to be a Guinness Record holder, this is my biggest achievement — and was a longer swim than the Dubai Canal,” said Allam.

This was not Allam’s first attempt at a record-breaking swim, as he previously became the first person to ever swim the length of the 25km Dubai Canal back in 2020.

Of both of his swims, Allam said, “Being In the record books makes me feel like a superhero, and I want to stay there.” He plans to take an attempt at breaking the World Record for the furthest swim in handcuffs and leg chains next, which is currently held by Dolphin Ratheesh, who swam 10km wearing both devices back in November 2020.

source/content: swimswam.com (headline edited)

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pix : guinnessworldrecords.com

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EGYPT

EGYPT: Mo Salah Breaks 02 long-standing Liverpool Records

A record-setting night sees the Egyptian striker secure his place in history.

Mohamed Salah secured his place in Liverpool (and Premier League) history with a remarkable performance on a very special night as his side beat rivals Manchester United 7-0.

With two second half goals the talismanic Egyptian striker became Liverpool’s all-time top goalscorer English Premier League, with his 129th and 130th goals putting him on top of the list above club legends Robbie Fowler (128), Steven Gerrard (120) and Michael Owen (118).

“This record was in my mind since I came here, I think after my first year I was always chasing that record, so to break it today, against United, with that result, was unbelievable,” Mo Salah told Sky Sports after the game. “I’m going home to celebrate with the family, have a chamomile tea and sleep!”

However, the record was not the only one that Salah secured in the game, as his double also made him Liverpool’s leading scorer against United in the Premier League era, with 10 goals.

Manchester United is one of Liverpool’s biggest rivals – if not the biggest – and the scoreline was its largest ever victory against United in any competition.

“I have some good records at Liverpool. To be fair, as long as we achieve something with the team that’s the most important thing for me,” Mo Salah said to the Liverpool Echo.

“I’m so happy and proud to break records and win trophies in a team like Liverpool. I don’t want to be in a smaller team and I’m the only one breaking records and that’s it.”

source/content: esquireme.com / Matthew Priest (headline edited)

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EGYPT

MOROCCO’s Khadija El Mardi Crowned Boxing World Champion, Winning Gold at the Women’s World Amateur Boxing Championships, New Delhi, India

Moroccan boxer Khadija El Mardi won the gold medal on Sunday in New Delhi, India, during the Women’s World Amateur Boxing Championships.

The national champion El Mardi, who competed in the heavyweight division (Over 81kgs), won the women’s world boxing championship by defeating the Kazakh Kungeibayeva Lazzat.

El Mardi has achieved a number of victories over the years, including the title of African champion in 2022, a victory at the African Games in Rabat in 2019, a silver medal at the World Championships in 2022, and this year’s Mohammed VI Trophy gold medal.

Born in Casablanca in 1991, El Mardi’s everlasting commitment and heroic efforts to achieve success have made her name stand out.

source/content: northafricapost.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO

DJIBOUTI: Athletics: Ibrahim Hassan Wins the ’71st Beppu-Oita Marathon 2023′, Oita, Japan

Ibrahim Hassan of Djibouti won the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in Oita, southwestern Japan, with a meet record of 2 hours, 6 minutes and 43 seconds Sunday.

Kenya’s Daniel Kipchumba crossed the finish line five seconds later for second place, and Japan’s Tsubasa Ichiyama placed third in 2:07:44.

The 71st edition of the race started in front of the Umitamago aquarium and finished at J-Lease Stadium.

“With the win and course record, I’m very, very happy,” the 26-year-old Hassan said. “The course was very good.”

Aoyama Gakuin University’s Shungo Yokota came in fourth in 2:07:47, setting the marathon record for a Japanese student runner.

source/content: english.kyodonews.net (headline edited)

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DJIBOUTI

MOROCCO: World Cup Star Achraf Hakimi Named Best Arab Sportsman of the Year

-Achraf Hakimi has won the top male award at the Joy Sports Award ceremony in Riyadh

-The PSG and Morocco defender scooped the award for the best Arab sportsman

-Hakimi helped Morocco reach the semi-final of the World Cup in Qatar

Morocco and Paris Saint Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been named the best Arab Sportsman of the Year at the Joy Sports Awards in Riyadh.

Hakimi beat Mohammed Al Owais, Salem Al Dosari and Yazid Al Rajhi for the top award.

The PSG defender walked onto the podium with his proud mother to receive the award during the ceremony in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Hakimi expressed excitement, thanking his mother for her support while dedicating the moment to his Morocco and PSG teammates.

source/content: sportsbrief.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO

MOROCCO: Fouzi Lekjaa, Morocco’s Man of the Year

Lekjaa was instrumental in Morocco’s 2022 footballing triumphs, but he continues to look to the future.

When Morocco’s football team defied all odds by topping their group at the Qatar World Cup and qualifying to the round of 16, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) appeared simultaneously happy and unsatisfied.

As most football watchers — and even Moroccan fans and analysts — seemed to say that the Moroccan team’s group performance was a welcome surprise, Fouzi Lekjaa begged to slightly differ.

Yes, the performance was welcome, but there was nothing surprising or shocking about it, the FRMF chief suggested. Others believed — or hoped — that Morocco could do well in the knockout stage, but Lekjaa knew the team could and should do much better. With many pundits favoring Spain to beat Morocco in the round of 16, Lekjaa beamed in an interview that the Atlas Lions have “the potential to compete with anyone.”

Over the team’s next few games, Lekjaa’s words would prove true. The team defeated Spain on penalty kicks after a 120-minute grueling and edgy match, progressing to the quarter-finals for the first time in its history. With a star-suffused Portuguese team waiting in the quarter-finals, the FRMF remained adamant that Morocco could stun their European opponents. And that, ultimately, this being Morocco’s moment to lift Africa’s quarter-final curse, he was confident Morocco would seize it.

And while Morocco’s campaign may have been ended by France in the semi-finals, and while the Atlas Lions may have failed to snatch the bronze medal during their third-place game with Croatia, they have largely achieved what has long been Lekjaa’s goal: put Moroccan football in the global spotlight and earn African football the world’s respect.

Of course, credit for the Atlas Lions’ triumphs cannot be given to one person. Head coach Walid Regragui, players like Yassine Bounou and Sofyan Amrabat, and the team’s technical and medical staff all helped throughout the historic run.

But Lekjaa, who has also been member of FIFA’s executive council since 2021, has been duly celebrated as the orchestrator of the advancement of Moroccan football and the plaudits and respect it has earned of late. While talents on the pitch and the coaching staff’s vision and tactical nous were instrumental in Morocco’s exploits, many have argued, the Atlas Lions’ success story would not have been possible without the reforms the Moroccan federation has witnessed under Lekjaa.

With his team’s sustained quest for Moroccan talents in the diaspora, the recent colossal investments in the national football league and in sporting infrastructure such world-class stadiums and a well-respected football academy, Lekjaa’s leadership has made Moroccan football a leader in Africa and a force to reckon with on the world stage.

It is thus in recognition of his revolutionary leadership at the helm of the FRMF, especially the last-minute, well-timed decision to appoint an inspired coach ahead of the World Cup, that Morocco World News is choosing Lekjaa as one of this year’s most important personalities.

Education and career

Lekjaa was born in Berkane in 1970, where he finished his education before leaving for Rabat to join the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, where he obtained a degree as an agricultural engineer.

He then studied at the National School of Administration in Casablanca and worked at the Ministry of Finance as well as the Ministry of Agriculture. He has been described as the youngest to ever hold the position of budget director in the Finance ministry’s history.

In October 2021, Lekjaa was named as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Finance, responsible for the Budget, as part of Aziz Akhannouch’s government, currently in power.

Career in football

While he has occupied numerous high-profile posts in Morocco’s government, Lekjaa is perhaps best known for his transformative contributions to the country’s football scene.

Having grown up a supporter of his local club, Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB), Lekjaa was appointed president of the club in 2009, while he held another job as a civil servant.

In 2012, RS Berkane rejoined the Moroccan top-flight league for the first time since the 80s, and reached the Throne Cup’s final in 2014, for the first time since 1986.

Since then, the club has been crowned champions of the Throne Cup two times, in 2018 and 2022.

They have also achieved unprecedented continental success, reaching the final of the CAF Confederation Cup three times, winning the title in 2020 and 2022. They also won the most recent CAF Super Cup in 2022, after defeating their fellow Moroccans in Wydad Casablanca.

In 2014, Lekjaa succeeded Ali Fassi Fihri as President of the FRMF, the position he continues to hold today. During his time, Moroccan clubs have achieved success on the continental stage, winning three CAF Super Cup titles, two Champions’ League titles, and reaching five finals.

In 2022, the Super Cup title was contested by two Moroccan teams — with Wydad AC winning the continent’s Champions League while RS Berkane took home the Confederations Cup.

Morocco’s national football team also qualified for the 2018 Russia World Cup under Lekjaa’s presidency, although they could not make it past the group stage despite strong performances against Spain and Portugal.

In 2022, following trouble with players and disapproval from Morocco’s football fans, Bosnian manager Vahid Halilodzic was dismissed by FRMF only a few months before Morocco was set to participate in the World Cup finals.

In his place came Moroccan coach Walid Regragui, who went on to lead Morocco’s squad through a historic run that saw them reach the World Cup’s semi-finals. The decision to hire Regragui has been hailed by many as a step in the right direction of putting more trust in local talents.

Looking to the future

Morocco’s 2022 World Cup triumphs have been declared as just the beginning by some, and it certainly seems that Lekjaa is looking to the future as well.

Despite its World Cup bids being rejected before, Morocco will most likely bid again to host the 2030 World Cup. With Lekjaa joining FIFA’s Executive Council last year, this bid could see a better fate than the past ones.

If successful, Morocco would be the second African and Arab country to host the global competition. Lekjaa told the Associated Press earlier this month that Morocco is considering a joint bid with Spain and Portugal to show the world that the relationship between Morocco and its European neighbors is one “in which civilizations can meet and cultures meet.”

The Moroccan team’s performances at the 2022 tournament have only strengthened Morocco’s international reputation as a footballing nation with a history and passion for the sport, which should also serve well to strengthen its bid.

Many of the stars that led Morocco to the semi-finals in 2022 should still be playing in four years when the US, Canada, and Mexico host the competition, leading to hopes that they can maintain the same level or improve upon it in the future.

Regragui has already made it clear his aspirations are for the next World Cup, asserting that because the Atlas Lions have shown they can compete with the world’s best, Morocco lifting the trophy in 2026 is not a quixotic goal.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO

Arab World the Winner in Memorable World Cup

As the FIFA World Cup reaches its climactic end, one cannot help but reflect on what an extraordinary political event it has been. Those who argue that sport and politics should be decoupled will have found it hard watching politics as an ever-present from the day Qatar was awarded the event back in 2010 and at every single match since the tournament began on Nov. 20.

But perhaps one of the most fascinating and hopefully impactful thrills at the World Cup has been the rare opportunity to remind the world that, for all its troubles, fissures and rivalries, the peoples of the Arab world do have much in common and that football has highlighted that reality every day in Qatar.

Some might question these signs of togetherness among fellow Arabs. Yet there were copious examples where it shone. Three achievements stood out.

Firstly, for Morocco to beat Spain and then Portugal in the knockout rounds was exceptional, especially following their defeat of Belgium, the second-ranked side in the world, in the group stage. There was more than an element of delight in seeing a former colony defeating, in Spain, its one-time colonial master. Morocco will get the chance to overcome its other colonial power, France, in the semifinals on Wednesday. In fact, star player Achraf Hakimi was born in the poor suburbs of Madrid. Morocco were the only team in the quarterfinals not from Europe or South America. Few in the region were not cheering them on. A sense of collective pride emerged as a result of the North African country’s success in becoming the first Arab and African state to reach the semifinals.

One might have thought that, given the dire state of relations between Morocco and Algeria, that Algerians would have shied away from joining in the festivities. Evidence suggests otherwise. Algerians were out supporting Morocco as enthusiastically as anyone else in the region. A friend was in Paris and told me: “After one of the Morocco victories, there were lots of Algerian supporters and flags joining their Moroccan brothers and sisters in celebration.” The Algerian captain and superstar Riyad Mahrez was quick to praise the Atlas Lions’ achievements.

Secondly, Tunisia beating reigning world champions France in the group stage was also an unforgettable moment. This was the first time they had beaten European opposition in the World Cup. This was every bit as big a win as in 1982, when Algeria beat the mighty West Germany in their first ever World Cup game.

Third, the Saudi victory over Argentina was another huge milestone. In many ways, this ignited the World Cup for the Arab world.

A sense of pride has also broken out that many of the finest players in the world come from this region. Hakim Ziyech for Morocco is one. Mahrez and Mohammed Salah were not in Doha but are still at the top of the sport. Kylian Mbappe, a star of this tournament, has an Algerian mother.

The key players in the Arab teams largely play in Europe. This shows football at its best in terms of breaking down barriers. Fourteen out of the 26-man Morocco squad were born outside of the country, showing how the team relies on the Moroccan diaspora. This includes Ziyech, who opted not to play for the Netherlands. That points to one challenge that countries like Morocco face, as they lack the footballing infrastructure to develop and nurture enough talent at home.

This World Cup has also often been about one country that is not there. At every single game featuring an Arab side, and plenty others beside, the Palestinian flag was there. It is a political symbol and a defiant message that the Arabs will not forget or ignore what is happening to the Palestinians in the diaspora and under occupation. As an even more brutally right-wing coalition is about to take power in Israel, this message should be carefully noted in the US and European capitals. Palestine still matters.

Israeli hasbaristas were also caught out. Having belittled and mocked those who claimed otherwise, they discovered that, despite the normalization deals, Arabs are not willing to gloss over Israel’s crimes and oppression. Time and time again, Israeli journalists, while trying to pretend everything was all lovely and wonderful with their newfound Arab friends, found that “free Palestine” was pushed back in their faces. Many locals snubbed their requests for interviews.

” A World Cup in the Arab world has brought some cheer to a region that has been hit hard by wars and other crises. “

Chris Doyle

Palestinian armbands and keffiyehs were being worn at nearly every match by huge numbers of fans. The sheer arrogance of believing that a state could oppress millions of people and that all would be peace and happiness was exposed as the nonsense it is. The Moroccan players had no hesitation in raising the Palestinian flag after their wins over Spain and Portugal.

Many Arabs also expressed admiration for the courage of the Iranian team after the players refused to sing their national anthem ahead of their opening match against England. This points to the widespread sympathy many Arabs feel toward Iranians, notably currently the women, who are struggling for their freedoms.

The Western media has been quick to point out all that was wrong with this World Cup. It is about time it also highlighted what has gone right. For all the criticisms of Qatar in the run-up to the cup over issues such as workers’ rights, one of the key elements of its bid has been fulfilled. Football in the region has been the winner. The atmosphere has been considerably warmer than many expected, with largely good-natured relations among fans of all countries. It seems that rival fans have not needed to be segregated, showing the festival-like atmosphere. Fan violence does not seem to have featured. The largest numbers of fans, of course, came from the Arab world, with Saudi Arabia providing the largest number from a single country.

Many outside the region were dismissive of the claims that football mattered in the Middle East. One leading commentator contemptuously told me, while on the BBC, that Qatar did not have a footballing heritage. Yet the region should never have been ignored. A World Cup in the Arab world has brought some cheer to a region that has been hit hard by wars and other crises, and whose peoples have not had much to celebrate in recent years.

Chris Doyle is director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, in London. Twitter: @Doylech

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News’ point of view

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Palestinians watch the World Cup quarterfinal between Morocco and Portugal in Gaza City, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo)

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ARAB WORLD

QATAR: A World Cup 12 years in the making. The First FIFA World Cup to take place in the Arab World. Kickoff Today, Sunday November 20th, 2022

With the biggest show in football 24 hours away, Arab News takes a look at the 12-year journey to make Qatar 2022 happen.

The first FIFA World Cup to take place in the Arab world will kick off Sunday in Doha when the host nation take on Ecuador in the tournament’s opening match at Al-Bayt Stadium.

The journey from winning the nomination on Dec. 2, 2010 to the big kick off on Nov. 20, 2022 has not been without challenges and controversies, but for the teams and fans who have landed in Qatar, and for millions around the world, the moment of truth has arrived.

As in Russia four years ago, there will be four Arab nations taking part in the tournament. This time around they are Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Tunisia.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are among a record six Asian Football Confederation members taking part, along with Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia.

Of the Arab nations, Qatar have an immediate chance to get three points on the board against Ecuador — arguably the easiest of their three matches in group A, which also includes the Netherlands and Senegal.

A win would leave the Asian champions requiring perhaps just a single point from their two other matches to become only the fourth Arab nation — after Morocco (1986), Saudi Arabia (1994), and Algeria (2014) — to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup.

Saudi Arabia have the toughest start of the Arab nations, taking on Argentina in their Group C opener, before facing Poland and Mexico in two matches that are only marginally less difficult.

A strong Morocco squad will have high hopes of causing an upset in Group F against Belgium Canada and Croatia, while Tunisia were dealt a tough hand when placed with champions France, Denmark and Canada in Group D.

While the Arab teams might struggle to progress beyond the group stages, it is a mission they should embrace. Players like Qatar’s Akram Afifi and Almoez Ali, Saudi’s Salem Al-Dawsari, and Tunisia’s Hannibal Mejbri could introduce themselves to a whole new audience.

Others, like Seville keeper Yasssine Bounou, and his Moroccan colleagues Achraf Hakimi of PSG and Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea are already familiar to audiences worldwide.

Standout matches for the Arab contingent will be Qatar’s showdown with the Netherlands on Nov. 29; Saudi’s second Group C fixture against Poland, which could provide their best chance of an upset; Tunisia’s clash with champions France; and Morocco’s final Group F match against Canada, potentially a match in which they could seal their progress to the round of 16 if they already have points on the board.

Elsewhere, there will be titanic clashes (Spain vs. Germany), international “derbies” (England vs. Wales), politically charged matches (Iran vs. USA) and revenge missions (Ghana vs. Uruguay)

Among the favorites for the trophy will be France and Brazil, both of whom have named fearsome squads, as well as Euro 2020 finalists England and South American champions Argentina.

The latter have become many people’s sentimental favorites, with a swell of emotion building behind Lionel Messi’s bid to end a glorious career with the trophy he craves the most.

Win it on Dec. 18, in what would be the Argentine maestro’s 1000th professional game, and the title of greatest footballer of all time will no longer be debated.

Messi’s rival for the title of greatest player of his generation, Cristiano Ronaldo, will also be playing in what is surely his last World Cup. And while things have not gone smoothly for the Portugal captain at Manchester United this season, his army of fans will no doubt be watching to see if he can pull one last rabbit out of the hat.

With Messi and Ronaldo walking into the sunset at the end of Qatar 2022, the position of world’s best player is up for grabs. The contender most likely to fill the void is Kylian Mbappe.

Already a world champion, the Frenchman has long been many people’s choice as the world’s “next” best player, and though he has continued to excel for club and country, the fact that he has remained at Paris Saint-Germain and, crucially, failed to land the coveted Champions League for them, means the jury is still out.

And then there is Neymar. This World Cup could well be the final chance for the Brazilian teammate of Messi and Mbappe at PSG to prove that he belongs among the greats after two World Cups plagued by injuries and underwhelming performances.

Other veterans including Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Uruguay’s Luis Suarez, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski and Croatia’s Luka Modric will also have the chance to bid their fans a fond farewell at the highest level.

Among a new generation of players to watch in Qatar are the likes of Brazil’s Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and Bruno Guimaraes; France’s Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni; Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez; Germany’s Jamal Musiala; and the brilliant 19-year-old Spaniard Pedri.

The stage is set, the curtain rises on Sunday night.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The first FIFA World Cup to take place in the Arab world will kick off Sunday in Doha when the host nation take on Ecuador in the tournament’s opening match. (Reuters/File Photo)

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QATAR