Football in MENA - statistics & facts
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was the first to be hosted in the Arab region. Countries from the region have outperformed expectations at this year's World Cup, with Iran defeating Wales, Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina, and Morocco reaching the semi-finals. Regardless of the results of the games, this tournament helped to alter the path of Middle Eastern and North African soccer history.
Nowadays, football has a large base of loyal fans in the region. One of the most anticipated leagues is the annual Arab Club Champions Cup. The Cup is contested by a total of 38 teams, evenly divided between the Asian and African Football Confederations. Founded in 1981, the tournament competed alongside the Arab Cup Winners' Cup and the Arab Super Cup until they were merged into the Champions Cup in 2002. With eight triumphs, Saudi Arabian clubs have earned the most wins. The most recent champion in 2020 was the Moroccan club Raja Casablanca, who defeated the Saudi club Al Ittihad Jeddah on penalties following a 4-4 draw.
History of football in MENA
Football, the most discussed sport across the MENA region, was first introduced to the region by European colonization. Over the years, soccer gained significance and popularity as it was used by independence movements across the region to rally support in the middle of the 20th century. National independence movements in MENA nations such as Egypt, Algeria, established soccer leagues to organize their communities, making the game a fundamental element of their liberation stories.Nowadays, football has a large base of loyal fans in the region. One of the most anticipated leagues is the annual Arab Club Champions Cup. The Cup is contested by a total of 38 teams, evenly divided between the Asian and African Football Confederations. Founded in 1981, the tournament competed alongside the Arab Cup Winners' Cup and the Arab Super Cup until they were merged into the Champions Cup in 2002. With eight triumphs, Saudi Arabian clubs have earned the most wins. The most recent champion in 2020 was the Moroccan club Raja Casablanca, who defeated the Saudi club Al Ittihad Jeddah on penalties following a 4-4 draw.
