A week of decisive moments in the Middle Eastern football season has created celebrations and tears across the region.
In the United Arab Emirates, Shabab Al Ahly won the league and saw the Burj Khalifa decorated in the club's red and green colours.
In Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal won the Saudi King Cup, its 66th title, after a victory over Al Wehda.
Coach Ramon Diaz has left the club with his son, Emiliano, set to guide the team in their remaining games this season - including the Saudi Clásico against Al Ittihad.
Meanwhile Al Arabi won Qatar’s Amir Cup, after thrashing Al Sadd 3-0, with Omar Al Somah and Hamid Ismail scoring the goals.
In Africa, the CAF Champions League semis saw Egypt’s Al Ahly beat Taraji Esperance Tunis 3-0, with a fantastic display from Percy Tau, who scored a brace.
The Ahlawys are on track for another Champions League final.
In the other semi, Wydad Casablanca drew 0-0 with Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, in a packed Mohammed V Stadium. A difficult task awaits the Moroccans in the second leg in Pretoria.
🇲🇦Wydad Casablanca's amazing supporters 👏#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/faCrQGY9AE
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) May 14, 2023
Transfer market warms up
As seasons slowly start to wrap up, the transfer window approaches, bringing with it some exciting deals.
During the past weekend, Jordan national team star Mousa Al Tamari signed with French club Montpellier, becoming the first Jordanian player ever in Ligue 1.
In Germany, Dortmund's Mahmoud Dahoud is reportedly on the verge of joining Brighton and Hove Albion.
If this deal goes through, Dahoud, born in Amuda, Syria, will become the first ever Syrian and Kurdish player to play in the Premier League.
Twelve years after Feras Al-Khatib and Omar Al Somah landed in Nottingham Forest for trials, but never received those work permits, the United Kingdom might get an introduction to one of the real talents of Bilad a-sham.
And finally, Zaid Qunbar, the star of West Bank Premier League champions Jabel Mukaber, signed for the Jordanian giants Al Wehdat.
Qunbar grew up in Beitar Jerusalem's youth system in Israel football, starred in their U17 team and was even called up to the Israeli U17 national team.
He was released from the Jerusalem club after radical fans protested against the possibility of him playing for the club's senior team.
He moved to Hapoel Hadera, and then Hapoel Tel Aviv, but failed to receive the chance he had been waiting for.
And then the opportunity on the other side of his hometown arrived.
Jabel Mukaber, the club where his older brother, Shehab Qunbar, played, had attracted the youngster, who immediately made an impact for his new side.
In his first season in the starting lineup, Qunbar notched nine goals for Mukaber, and was a vital part of their first championship title in 12 years.
He has now followed in his older brother's footsteps, who also played for the Green Hulk from Amman, signing a one year contract.
It’s one hell of a story. An Eastern Jerusalem Arab talent, who made his first steps in football at a right-wing club on the Israeli side of the city, went on to become a marquee signing for one of the most significant Palestinian symbols in sports: Al Wehdat, the club from the famous Palestinian refugee camp in the western part of the Jordanian capital.
A transfer saga that only Palestinian football can create.
New for @Transfermarkt
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) May 12, 2023
Mo Dahoud appears to be headed to Brighton. And it might be just the right place for the midfielder to finally unleash his Gündogan-esque potential #BHAFC
Read it HERE 👇https://t.co/82ilLEiFiH
The inauguration of the Pele International Stadium
On Sunday, the Al Khader Stadium in Bethlehem was re-inaugurated as the Pelé International Stadium Al Khader.
A ceremony in the presence of Jordan FA President Ali bin Hussein, Qatar FA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani and former Egyptian FA president and current member of the FIFA Council and a member of CAF Executive Committee, Hany Abu Rida.
They all joined Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub.
A friendly match followed, between the Palestinian Olympic team and the Jordanian Olympic team, ending in a 2-1 victory for the latter.
Edited by Alex Smith
Today, Al Khader Stadium in #Bethlehem was re-inaugurated under its new name:
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) May 14, 2023
𝐏𝐞𝐥é 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐀𝐥 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 🇵🇸🏟️
🇯🇴 Jordan FA President Ali bin Hussein and 🇶🇦 Qatar FA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani were present. pic.twitter.com/zGwOzrgWuD
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.
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.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.