The Heart Of Football

Mohammed Usrof, Qatar

Mohammed Usrof is a student at Georgetown University in Qatar and a supporter of Al-Gharafa SC. As part of the GOALS program, Mohammed tells the story of his love for football rituals and watching Palestine at the FIFA Arab Cup.

I am a Palestinian born and raised in Qatar. I grew up as a sports fan; it is part of my identity. I admire the coordination and discipline required by top athletes. Sport is liberating, and the sport that genuinely connects with my heart is football.

Recently I attended the Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five football tournament. The atmosphere was electric, seeing so many colors and fans from many nations. The presence of fans is at the heart of the game.

There is something about football that ignites passion and emotion, where we become the ‘twelfth person’ as fans. That passion is palpable through the screen, but it is even more breathtaking firsthand in a fully packed stadium, hearing the cheers and seeing the rituals of the fans.

I love football most of all when I am exposed to people who are not afraid of bringing out who they are. It is refreshing and uplifting. Football puts aside our differences and we come together as football-loving fans. That is what matters the most.

Rituals are at the heart of football; they create community, unity, and belonging. Rituals inspire the fans, which in turn boosts the players. Rituals create familiarity and collective confidence.

The ritual takes each fan from a state of solitude to a collective voice through chants, horns, and drums. The ritual of the fan is an artistic masterpiece. Football, powered by its rituals, has the power to grow movements and to raise collective awareness. To think that all of this stems from the simple act of kicking a ball is astonishing.

Of course, there is an element of nationalism, and that is where such a depth of emotion comes from. Watching the Palestine national team at the FIFA Arab Cup in 2021 showed me the nationalistic and historical effect of football and highlighted the importance of identity to fans. This positive ‘community’ atmosphere negated any hints of aggression that sometimes arise with nationalism.

As a Palestinian, I supported my team, but after watching most of the matches, I felt a sense of belonging to most nations, and the crowd was always welcoming.

Over the past decade I have witnessed the growth of football in Qatar and the development of the country.

I am excited about the FIFA World Cup. The hearts of football fans will beat as one. The beauty will be shown in the diversity of race, gender, social class, education, and background. All will be welcome on and off the field at the World Cup 2022.

I hope my family can visit me during the FIFA World Cup; this will bring me great pride. I grew up in a diaspora with no contact with my family in Gaza, so seeing them in person is always so powerful for me.

The World Cup will be a significant event as the world is welcomed to the Arab world and see the region as it is, not as portrayed negatively by the media. I hope that this might change the world for the better.