Fans Across the Middle East Celebrate Historic World Cup Moment

Qatar marked its FIFA World Cup debut with a defeat to Ecuador on Sunday, but in becoming the first nation in the Middle East to host the tournament.

Qatar marked its FIFA World Cup debut with a defeat to Ecuador on Sunday, but in becoming the first nation in the Middle East to host the tournament, it has inspired a wave of pride across the region.

From cafes in Erbil to pubs in Istanbul and stadiums in Gaza City, excited onlookers gathered around television screens ahead of the opening fixture of a tournament some hope will shatter stereotypes of the Islamic world.

At a café in the city of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, fans new and old sipped tea as they debated the merits of participating teams and reflected on world football’s grandest competition coming to Qatar.

Rasul Farid, 26, said he first watched a World Cup in 2010 when South Africa hosted the finals.

“I did not expect [in 2010] that one day an Arab country would host the World Cup,” he told Al Jazeera. “It is a positive thing that the World Cup in an Arab country will give a different impression of us, away from stereotypes. I am here to support the Qatari team.”

Khalil Ahmed, 29, said he first watched the international football fiesta in 2006 when it was held in Germany.

“I did not think that one day it would be in an Arab country. I thought that the World Cup was only for the West and America – not for us.”

Ali Kareem, 22, watched the opening match in Iskan, a traditional area in Erbil well-known for streaming football matches. His earliest memories of football are from 2007 when Iraq won the Asian Cup and he started celebrating in the streets with his father and friends.

“I love [football], and we are very happy that the World Cup is being held in an Arab country,” he said, adding that he would support Brazil.

In Turkey, football fans geared up to follow this year’s tournament despite the country’s national squad failing to qualify for the 32-team tournament.

In the besieged Gaza Strip, an opening ceremony was held in Gaza City to mark the first day of the World Cup.

Hundreds of Palestinian fans and athletes gathered in the Palestine Stadium Hall, where the fans raised the Qatari and Palestinian flags amid cheers of support for the Qatari team.

Salouha also expressed her gratitude for Qatar’s supportive role in the Gaza Strip.

“It is known that Qatar is one of the most supportive countries for Gaza, so they have all the love and respect, and it is a great country in word and deed.”

Source:- Al Jazeera