The Arab Fans' League unites Arab football fans as Qatar 2022 World Cup kick-off nears

The Arab Fans' League (raabita al-jumhour al-araby) is a unique, Qatari initiative celebrating the unity and solidarity of Arabs across the world.

Organisers hope to channel the passion of all the Arab communities across Doha into a unified bloc of support for the Arab teams taking part in the fast-approaching 2022 FIFA World Cup.   

Gearing up to cheer from the stands 

Recently, twice a week, thousands of fans have thronged the stands of the Lusail Sports Arena, in a festive atmosphere of excitement, as Arab communities across Qatar amass to prepare themselves to give their utmost support to the Arab teams in the upcoming tournament. Organisers have led the crowds in cheering "rehearsals" as Arab supporters gear themselves up collectively for the kick-off on 20 November.

"Organisers hope to channel the passion of all the Arab communities across Doha into a unified bloc of support for the Arab teams taking part in the fast-approaching 2022 FIFA World Cup"

An "Arab World Cup"

The Arab Fans' League is the first organisation of its kind in the history of the World Cup. It aims to generate a fierce spirit of solidarity and support to encourage all the Arab teams playing in the tournament.

Organisers hope for the fans to project one united spirit, and chant in unison for all the Arab teams. Founder of the league, Faisal Al-Tamimi, says it also aims to bolster the Arabs' sense of identity and to maximise the Arab fans' enjoyment from the stands.

Al-Tamimi, a musician and promoter of Qatari culture, said the idea of setting up the league had been sparked the moment Qatar won the bid to host the World Cup. At that time, Former Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani had stated that this would be "an Arab World Cup". He describes the response to the initiative as "unbelievable".

100 day countdown till the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar @johnnyduerden pens an Arab overview#WorldCup2022 https://t.co/cn3JpxUuDJ

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) August 14, 2022

An amazing bond

Kuwaiti sports presenter Muhammad Abouelrous said that since stepping into the arena, he hadn't stopped smiling: "It's like a mini world cup in here, I love seeing this amazing bond with everyone coming together for the World Cup to cheer on the Arab teams", he said, adding, "we all hope this will be a huge World Cup for the Arabs."

A Tunisian fan commented with a smile, that it was a "beautiful initiative and a pioneering idea" for the Arab fans to gather and support all of the teams, adding "Good luck to all the Arab teams, God-willing, they'll win!"

The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be held in Qatar, making this the first time the major sporting event has been held in an Arab country. The tournament will start on 20 November and run until 18 December.