The Middle Eastern football universe is boiling with stories from Iraq to Algeria, involving much more than just the football itself - representation, national pride and the empowerment of women were the main trends this past week.
Gulf Cup 2023: Iraq's biggest moment in decades
The Arabian Gulf Cup 2023 - or in its more common name, Khalijee 25 - kicked off in Iraq last weekend, and enjoyed a tremendous opening ceremony that included traditional motives and characters from Mesopotamian and Gulf heritages.
Sinbad, the sailor, the fortresses of the ancient Assyrian Empire and much more created an event that, according to many, was more impressive than the World Cup's opening ceremony in Qatar.
Some problems between the Iraqi organisers and the Kuwaiti delegation were reported but, besides this incident, the Iraqi FA can be proud of their organisation of the event.
In an emotional touch, Colonel Alaa Al Eidani from the Iraqi Army, who lost his sight in a battle with ISIS while liberating Mosul from the terrorist group, was one of the prominent figures in the ceremony - a symbol of the country's constant struggle against one of the main threats to everyday life in Iraq.
Fooball-wise, the tournament has had a positive start, with a packed stadium for Iraq against Oman, and Saudi Arabia U23 beating Yemen.
During a substitution during their first match, two Yemeni players changed shin pads, a hint of the lack of equipment the Yemeni national team is suffering from. The incident went viral and raised awareness of the country's problematic situation, a less-covered civil war.
The champions from Bahrain have beaten the UAE 2-1, and even Qatar, who are still licking their World Cup wounds, managed to grab a victory against Kuwait.
Algeria ready for CHAN 2023 hosting duties
Iraq is not alone, as the trend of countries that were previously in the shadow of organising major football tournaments finally getting a chance to host, is also making waves in north Africa.
This week, the first continental football tournament will kick off in Algeria since 1990, when the Africa Cup of Nations was played and won by the Desert Foxes.
CHAN —The African Nations Championship — an international competition for national teams with only local players, will start on 13th January at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, with a game between Algeria and Libya.
The tournament, which has been fertile ground to find hidden gems, will host 18 teams in what will be a real test for Algeria, while the country aims to host AFCON 2025.
The final will take place on 4th February in Algiers.
Iranian Footballer sentenced to jail
During the World Cup, there were reports that Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani had been sentenced to death for showing support for the Mahsa Amini protests.
On Monday it was reported by multiple sources in western media that Nasr-Azadani was sentenced to 16 years in prison for taking part in protests against the regime and "the killing of three policemen in Isfahan".
These harsh rulings can be appealed - yet another reminder of the complicated situation in Iran and its direct relation to football.
Women referees on the rise
On Monday, the FIFA Referees Committee announced the match officials selected for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
One interesting name to be included in the list was Heba Saadieh, who will make history as the first Palestinian female referee to officiate at a FIFA Women's World Cup.
Saadieh, 34, was born in Palestine to a former Palestinian footballer turned referee. At 26, Sadie moved to Stockholm, and pursued a career as a referee.
She has already officiated in the Swedish men's and women's football leagues, in addition to AFC Cup matches, and World Cup and Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifying tournaments.
Saadieh is not alone. Anoud Al Asmari, a Saudi referee, was added to FIFA's cadre of officials. Al Asmari is the first Saudi woman to do so.
"I am happy to be the first Saudi female referee to receive the international badge," she told AFP, as female referees are slowly becoming a trend in the region's football reality.
Derbies in Istanbul and Jerusalem
The past weekend included a number of heated derby games across the region.
On Friday, East Jerusalem set its eyes on Faisal Husseini Stadium, where Jabel Mukaber and Hilal Al Quds clashed for the match of the season in the West Bank Premier League.
A 2-0 victory for Mukaber kept the Palestinian title race wide open, with four teams having a chance to win the title after 12 matches.
On Saturday, in West Jerusalem, the main game of the Israeli Premier League matchday took place - the Jerusalem Derby between Hapoel and Beitar.
A fairly equal match that ended dramatically, with Beitar scoring the first in the 86th minute, Hapoel losing Awaka Eshete to a red card in the 91st, and then getting the equaliser in the 97th - and through a rare header by Ofek Biton too.
Hapoel remain comfortable in fourth place, in a historic season for the club.
At the same time, Beitar, who almost got relegated to the third division in the summer due to administrative issues, are suddenly eyeing a place in the championship play-offs.
But away from these games, the best Jerusalemites in Europe also played this weekend.
Oday Dabbagh, the only Palestinian professional footballer in Europe, scored a brace and was named man of the match in the Portuguese Liga NOS, when his Arouca side beat Estoril Praia 2-0.
Dabbagh has seven goals in 13 games this season - a strong showing for the 24-year-old.
And finally, Istanbul's famous ‘Intercontinental’ Derby between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray took centre stage on Sunday afternoon, when the Sari Canaryallar hosted their arch-rivals.
After years in the shadows, both teams arrived at the game at the top of the Turkish Superlig table, but only Gala was up to the challenge.
A definitive 3-0 victory away from home in front of 50,000 yellows saw them opening a four point gap ahead of their direct rival for the title in Turkey.
Goals by Sergio Oliveira, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and Mauro Icardi ensured Istanbul would be red and gold after the 395th encounter between the two.
