The Unexpected Hispanic Presence Taking Over the 2025 Arab Cup

When reporter Manuel R. Medina arrived in the Gulf to cover the 2025 Arab Cup, he expected a tournament dominated by Arabic—and, to a lesser degree, English. What he didn’t expect was the constant presence of Spanish echoing through accreditation halls, media centers, and security checkpoints. In a competition built around 16 national teams from the pan-Arab region, Spanish has unexpectedly become one of the most heard languages of the tournament.

Inside FIFA’s accreditation center, multiple volunteers addressed journalists in Spanish. The choice was strategic: thousands of Latin American fans are expected to travel in December for both the Arab Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, where Cruz Azul and Flamengo will headline a continental clash. Between badge checks, paperwork, and equipment inspections, staff frequently rotated between Arabic, English, and Spanish, creating a smooth welcome for media arriving from Mexico, Central America, and South America.

The influence became even more visible at Khalifa International Stadium during Qatar vs. Syria, a key match for both sides. On the benches were two Spanish managers steering the tactical direction: Julen Lopetegui with Qatar and José Lana with Syria. Their presence injected the match with the principles of Bilbao and Asturias—two regions with deep tactical traditions. Instructions barked from the sidelines carried familiar accents for any Spanish-speaking reporter in the mixed zone.

Days earlier, another Latino storyline emerged: the debut of Emilio Saba, a Lima-born right back now representing Palestine. With more than 90 professional matches in Peru, Saba symbolizes the global pathways of modern football—South American development, Middle Eastern heritage, and an international showcase in Qatar. His case isn’t isolated, but it captures how deeply Hispanic football has intertwined with global tournaments.

The Hispanic footprint extended to officiating. The Guatemala referee crew—Mario Escobar (referee), Luis Ventura and Humberto Panjoj (assistants)—handled the match, with Chile’s Cristian Garay as fourth official and Uruguay’s Antonio García operating in the VAR room. On the field and in stadium corridors, Spanish flowed naturally between referees, staff members, and coaches, facilitating quick clarifications and post-match conversations with Latin American reporters.

The cultural presence wasn’t limited to dialogue. The stadium’s loudspeakers blasted music by Shakira and Pitbull, prompting fans from across the region—including men in dishdasha and women in abaya—to dance and sing. More than 40,000 attendees embraced the blend of Arabic tradition and Latin energy, creating an atmosphere that felt simultaneously regional and global.

After the match, Medina spoke with local fans Ali Jaidah and Fátima Kaabi, who explained that Latin culture has become part of daily life in Doha. From nightclubs to restaurants and even a dedicated Spanish-language radio station, the influence of Latin America is now rooted in the city’s social fabric.

In a tournament expected to revolve around Arabic, the 2025 Arab Cup has shown that Hispanic culture—its language, music, and footballing identity—has become an unexpected but natural companion to the event’s global spirit.