The Premier League is currently underway, and I would like to share some episodes related to watching soccer in various Middle Eastern countries.
Egypt and Lebanon: Café Viewing Culture and Economy
People in the Middle East are passionate about soccer. On match days, the atmosphere in the cafes around town changes dramatically.
Egypt: Price Fluctuations Due to Demand
In a public café in Cairo, Egypt, the number of seats increased from the usual 150 to 550 during the World Cup. Additionally, the price of tea, which is normally 2.5 Egyptian pounds, was raised to 3 pounds on match days.
Source: NewsPointGhana, July 19, 2018
Even a slight price increase results in hundreds of customers visiting, making it a significant profit for the café. For those without cable at home, cafes serve as an important alternative to stadiums.
Lebanon: Economic Crisis and Soccer as an Escape
On the other hand, Lebanon is experiencing a severe economic crisis. As a result, watching matches at home is becoming a luxury.
During the 2022 World Cup, cafes in Beirut set up large screens. The establishments imposed a “minimum charge” of 200,000 to 400,000 Lebanese pounds (approximately 2 to 4 US dollars at the time) per match.
Source: AFP via Gulf News, November 30, 2022 / Xinhua, December 2, 2022
Despite this, seats were fully booked every day. This indicates that soccer serves as a form of entertainment that temporarily allows people to forget their economic hardships.
Saudi Arabia: Historic Victory and Establishment of a National Holiday
On November 22, 2022, the Saudi Arabian national team faced Argentina and won 2-1. This was a historic event.
After the match, millions of congratulatory messages were posted on social media, and the entire country rejoiced. The following day, King Salman declared a national holiday across the country. Government agencies, private companies, and schools all closed for the day.
Source: The Guardian, November 22, 2022
This holiday was a special measure for 2022, but it shows that Saudi Arabia considers soccer a nationally significant event.
Iran: Restrictions on Women’s Entry to Stadiums and Change
In Iran, women have long been prohibited from entering soccer stadiums. Since the 1979 revolution, religious rules have allowed only men to attend matches.
However, during the 2018 World Cup, special permission was granted. The Azadi Stadium in Tehran was opened for a public viewing of the Iran vs. Spain match. At this time, thousands of women entered the stadium for the first time. Participating women expressed that “their dreams had come true.”
Source: Reuters, June 25, 2018
This was a temporary measure, but discussions about women’s rights to freely watch soccer continue to this day.
Connection to Society Through Soccer
As mentioned above, issues of gender, economic conditions, and various aspects of society are reflected in these experiences. They represent a deep cultural experience that cannot be felt merely by watching a match.