Doha is boiling. The second matchday of the World Cup is behind us and, with a great sense of unification among the Arab fans, the tournament is heading to the final round of group stage matches.
The second matchday was the complete opposite of the first. Goalless draws were part of the past, as matches became tenser and more attractive. No result was easy to predict, including some shock results that made us think again about the differences between Europe, South America, and the rest of the world.
All of this leads to the final matchday of the group stage, where anything could happen. Only three teams have already booked their places in the knockouts - France, Brazil, and Portugal - and there are plenty others looking to join them in the round of 16.
We’ve still got some great games ahead of us, like Iran against the USA, Switzerland versus Serbia, and Ghana against Uruguay - a repeat of one of the 2010 quarter finals - but, before that, here are some takeaways from the latest round of matches.
They played with their heart ❤️ for the whole nation #IRN pic.twitter.com/xchYtoFMG4
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) November 25, 2022
Cameroon 3-3 Serbia - the game
Finally a proper high-scoring game in Qatar. Comebacks, good fans, minimal defence, and goals, goals, goals.
The good part? Both teams are still in line to win a ticket to the knockouts.
Bruno Fernandes - the player
Yeah, Cristiano Ronaldo is still here, but Bruno Fernandes is slowly becoming the leader of this team.
Two assists in the first game, and a brace in the second - his Portugal side are one of only three teams to qualify with six points.
What a photo 🤳 pic.twitter.com/J1XAr38TgO
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) November 29, 2022
Morocco’s second goal v Belgium - the moment
The match between Morocco and Belgium was, as a whole, impressive, but the second goal by Zakkaria Aboukhlel was a symbol of a party - a Moroccan party.
Thibaut Courtois played poorly in the Belgium net, and the defense in front of him looked slow and heavy.
On the flip side, we saw Morocco scoring for fun, and earning a deserved win.
When you win your first #WorldCup match in 24 years 🇲🇦⚽️ pic.twitter.com/sdnJMERfgF
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) November 27, 2022
Morocco made a tremendous journey in the 2022 World Cup, all the way to the semi-finals. Uri Levy picked the heroes of The Atlas Lions.
Morocco is getting ready for their best achievement in World Cup, playing in the quarter finals against Portugal. Uri Levy followed them from the win against Spain to the crucial moments on Saturday.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
CAF shocks African football by stripping Senegal’s title and awarding Morocco the AFCON crown after a chaotic final decision.
From silent protests to daring escapes, Iran’s women footballers turned a tournament into a global story of courage, politics, and survival.
Iran’s women’s team protested, faced threats, and signaled SOS in Australia—now their fate is uncertain amid calls for asylum.
From geopolitics to spectacle, Trump looms over World Cup 2026—reshaping football, power, and culture in the biggest tournament ever.
FIFA joins Gaza rebuilding plans, restoring stadiums, pitches, and youth programs, supporting football and hope in the Strip.
From Nigeria’s Mavlon academy to Viktoria Plzeň and the Europa League dream: Salim Fago’s journey is just beginning in Europe.
From Benzema’s shock move to Ronaldo’s protest, a chain reaction in Saudi football is shaking the entire project and the global game.
A Hitchcock-style AFCON final in Rabat saw chaos, controversy and brilliance as Senegal stunned Morocco to claim their second African title.
From libraries to stadiums, Morocco lives football. As AFCON 2025 nears its climax, passion, politics, and ambition collide nationwide.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was an event that made changes within Qatar and the Middle East. Uri Levy explores what happened in the region a year later.