It’s been a while since the Middle East Football Review appeared here, but the past weekend has generated a few interesting stories in the region.
Rare scenes of violence in the UAE’s Clasico Abu Dhabi between Al Ain and Al Wahda
The football season in the UAE is on fire, and the two Abu Dhabi clubs, Al Ain and Al Wahd, are at the top of the table. On Saturday, the two went head to head at the Al Nahyan Stadium. Al-Ain won 1-0 with a dramatic goal, but the big story took place in the stands. Fans from both teams started fighting in scenes unusual for Emirati stadiums - the authorities have ordered the arrest of those involved.
We have seen more and more violence in football stadiums across the region recently. Let's hope it is just a bypassing trend and nothing more.
🚨🚨🚨🎥
— نواف الآسيوي 🇸🇦 (@football_ll55) March 12, 2022
إشتباكات قوية جدًا جدًا جدًا بين جمهور الفريقين العين والوحدة في استاد ال نهيان!!!!!
يا سااااااااااااتر! 😰😰😰😰😰😰😰#الوحده_العين pic.twitter.com/g2frjvyNVa
Egypt's mega clubs are in trouble in the African CAF Champions League
On Friday, Zamalek lost to Wydad in Cairo, and are out of the African Champions League.
Big rivals and reigning African champions Al Ahly are also in trouble after a second consecutive loss - could the two Egyptian giants be eliminated in the early stages?
While Zamalek have no chance to continue, if Al Ahly fail to beat Sudanese Al Hilal and Al Merreikh, it would be the first time in nearly seven years that no Egyptian side has made it to the knockout stages.
Al Ahly have won the African Champions League 10 times, with Zamalek winning a further five. Is this an earthquake in Egyptian and African football? We should wait and see.
Palestinian-Jordanian special tournament to take place in the West Bank
Three teams from Jordan, two teams from the West Bank, and one team from Gaza are ready to participate in a special tournament - the Al Quds Al Karameh Championship.
Starring in the championship are Al Wehdat and Al Faisaly, Jordan's two mega clubs, alongside the reigning domestic champions, Al Ramtha. From the West Bank, Shabab Al Khaleel and Jabel Mukbaer, and Shabab Rafah from Gaza (if they receive the approval to arrive in the West Bank).
It’ll take place in two stadiums: Faisal Husseini in Al-Ram near Jerusalem and the Dura International Stadium.
The tournament's name honours the infamous Battle of Karameh on March 21 1968.
Back then, the IDF and the joint forces of the PLO and the Jordanian Armed Forces fought near Karameh, leaving scores of casualties on both sides. Still, this battle became a symbolic moment in the Arab, Palestinian and Jordanian heritage.
If the tournament goes ahead as planned - with all the visiting sides, the symbolic event, and fans in the stadiums - it will be an interesting moment in football history for sure.
A very interesting tournament will be played in Hebron & Jerusalem at the end of March:
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) March 8, 2022
Al Quds-Al Karameh Cup
🇯🇴 Al Wehdat (Amman)
🇯🇴 Al Faisal (Amman)
🇯🇴 Al Ramtha
🇵🇸 Shabab Al Khaleel (Hebron)
🇵🇸 Jabel Mukaber (Jerusalem)
🇵🇸 Shabab Rafah (Gaza)
March 19th - 25th. pic.twitter.com/GqJVPeBt9O
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FIFA joins Gaza rebuilding plans, restoring stadiums, pitches, and youth programs, supporting football and hope in the Strip.
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.
As protests spread across Iran, footballers are turning goals, silence and visibility into acts of resistance and solidarity with the people.
From Trump’s World Cup to wars, revolutions and fairy tales – the football stories that shaped 2025 in the Middle East and beyond.
A dramatic 107th-minute penalty sends Iraq to the intercontinental playoff—now just one game from a first World Cup since 1986.
Ireland and other European FAs are joining efforts to push UEFA to suspend Israel over settlement clubs and racism allegations.
Aston Villa overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–0 in a Europa League night marked by police protests, fan bans, and off-field political tension.
Maccabi Tel Aviv arrive in Birmingham under political tension, facing Aston Villa without fans in a key Europa League test.
Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powered Norway past Israel 5–0, as protests and tension surrounded the World Cup qualifier in Oslo.
Israel coach Ran Ben Shimon dons a kippa and prays for hostages in an emotional Oslo press conference before facing Norway.
Ahead of Norway–Israel, FA president Lise Klaveness urges respect, transparency, and dialogue, discussing her efforts in bringing change that will see Israel banned from international football.
Tense atmosphere in Oslo ahead of Norway vs. Israel, with protests, politics, and a World Cup dream on the line.
As Israel visits Oslo for a key World Cup qualifier, Norway braces for protests, politics, and a tense weekend on and off the pitch. Uri Levy reports from Oslo.
Photo via Wafa.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.