Arab football commentators are captivating audiences at the 2026 World Cup with passionate, poetic broadcasts that transform matches into lyrical performances.
According to The Guardian, the commentators are stealing the spotlight even from the players, as a record number of Middle Eastern teams participate in the tournament.
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Broadcasters like Amer al-Khudhiri, an Omani announcer for BeIN Sports, deliver dramatic soliloquies during key moments.
After Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the tournament against Uzbekistan, al-Khudhiri launched into a minute-and-a-half emotional narration.
“I knew you were coming for revenge.
I knew you would answer everyone, the world, the World Cup, the doubters, those who have lost their memory,” he said.
“Oh history, put Ronaldo here as Portugal’s all-time top scorer, through all its history. Allah, Allah, Allah!”
His voice grew hoarse as he continued: “I knew my night would be long and I knew my words might fail me, and I knew my vocal cords might break, and yet I am ready for that, happy, embracing heaven, O Ronaldo.”
Prominent commentators like Tunisia’s Issam Chaouali provide the soundtrack for fans gathering in cafes across Lebanon and the Gulf.
This style departs from the clinical play-by-play typical of English-language sports media.
Hazar al-Kilani, a 27-year-old public relations manager in Doha, noted that the language enhances drama and expands perception of time, turning brief sequences into full narrative paragraphs.
The broadcasting style traces back to Middle Eastern oral traditions, where people gathered to compete in improvised poetry.
