Soccer and travel are two of my favorite things in the world. I think it’s extraordinary how a game can bring people together. As a travel advisor, I try to attend a game in as many destinations as possible. In February 2023, I saw my first UAE Pro League game in Abu Dhabi.

By Matt Stein

Initially, I planned on going to a game in Dubai but the timing did not work out. A week later, I watched third-place Al Wahda host table-toppers Shabab Al Ahli at Al Nahyan Stadium.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Shabab Al Ahli struck first when Federico Cartabia converted on a penalty kick in the 64^th minute. Aleddine Ben Ajmi Zouhir leveled the game off a corner kick in the 78^th minute. The moment of the match was an incredible save by Al Wahda keeper Mohamed Al Shamsi in stoppage time.

This game was a unique experience, unlike any game I’d seen in person before. Traveling to the region may require a visa. You can learn more about visa requirements for world travel here. The UAE is a Muslim country, creating a different environment for fans.

Fans Still Have Fun in the Stands

As I walked into the stadium, the familiar sound of soccer fans was easy to hear. The fans bellowed songs serenading their team and favorite players. Supporters wore team colors or jerseys. But that’s where the similarities ended.

There was no concourse for food, drink, or souvenirs. You funnel through the entrance and directly into the stadium. Your ticket’s section, row, and seat numbers do not matter. If there’s a seat you like, you take it. And, of course, there’s no beer.

The passion the fans have is obvious. It’s displayed differently than in the US, Europe, or South America. They don’t shout at the players or officials. There’s hardly any cheering or jeering. It’s just a constant sound of excitement. I don’t speak Arabic but I’m positive there was no cursing.

Soccer Played with Respect

It’s also very different on the field. I won’t try to compare the level of play because it doesn’t match the standards of any league I’ve witnessed before. But what I saw was very different from most soccer experiences.

Players did not dive, hoping to draw penalties. They didn’t huddle around the referee trying to influence a decision or call. There was no arguing with the ref except for one borderline foul. The players respected the referee and his position of power at all times. There wasn’t even any on-field complaining when he pointed to the spot for a penalty kick.

When Cartabia put Shabab Al Ahli ahead with that penalty, the differences really jumped out to me. There was no running around the field or big celebration about the goal. The away fans continued to sing and the home fans quieted down for a couple of minutes but it was like watching highlights of a baseball game from the 1950s. Everyone acted like this had happened before and would happen again.

They were proven right when Al Wahda drew even less than 15 minutes later. I was sure there’d be a party-like reaction considering they would jump into first place with a win. The players congratulated the goal-scorer and walked back to midfield. About half the fans stood to cheer but the sound level didn’t change much.

The closest thing to an American-like reaction came when Al Shamsi kept the game even in stoppage time. And while there was a sudden reaction of noise, it was almost the sound of relief as much as cheering.

Exploring the World

I enjoy experiencing as many different environments as possible. I believe traveling the world is one way to do it, while sports, food, wine, beer, and arts are other possibilities. Unique Luxury Travels provides expert and personalized service so you travel in the style right for you. You’ll enjoy special access and activities specific to your destination.

Traveling through Dubai and Abu Dhabi can be a luxurious vacation. As a luxury travel advisor, I saw the glitz and glamour of Dubai compared to the more subdued show of class in wealthier Abu Dhabi. The people there are proud of becoming a hot spot for tourism and want you to enjoy every aspect of their culture.

Contact me when you’re ready to start planning your next journey by calling 917-225-1360.

The Canucks are back. After a thirty-six-year dry spell, the Canadian national soccer team made it to FIFA World Cup in Qatar, leaving behind the North American soccer behemoths USA and Mexico in CONCACAF qualifying round. 

Top 5 Canadian Soccer Players in Europe to Watch

Canadians battled it out with the sport’s household name in the group stage fair and square, giving Croatia, Belgium, and Morroco the run for their money, despite failing to pull off an upset in any of the matchups. The team owes the newly-found character to its young core of players, who are already playing for Europe’s leading soccer clubs in the Big Five. Similarly, students striving for excellence in their academic work can find support through domyessay.com services.

Below you’ll find the list of the best five Canadian soccer players in 2023 and their potential to attain the status of legends.

Stephen Eustáquio 

Stephen Eustáquio is a Canadian midfielder currently playing for FC Porto of Primeira Liga. FC Porto’s connection with Canadian soccer seems to run deeper than just the level of personnel. Namely, Porto agreed to a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with Betano, a betting company with one of the strongest presences in the Canadian sports betting industry. For more detail, consult LegalBet Canada experts�advice on Betano Canada.

In the meantime, focus on the youngster who spent hours studying the world’s greatest soccer players, including David Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others. As a member of FC Porto, Eustáquio was the winner of the Primeira Liga in the 2021-22 season and the Taça da Liga Portuguesa winner in 2023. 

For the national team, he debuted in November 2019, and has been a standard player in the rotation in the 2021-22 Concacaf / FIFA World Cup Qualifiers round and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Alphonso Davies

Alphonso Davies�story begins in a Ghanaian refugee camp, where he was born to parents who had fled the civil war in Liberia. His family immigrated to Canada when Alphonso was five, and little did they know that he would grow to become Canada’s most decorated soccer player at the age of 22. 

Alphonso Davies is a star defender of Bayern Munich, for which he’s played 102 matches and won 71. He took the German Championship title for four consecutive years, starting with the 2018/19 season. He also won the UEFA Championship League in the 2019/20 season while playing for Bayern Munich, together with the Supercup in 2020, 2021, and 2022. 

Davies is considered to be one of the fastest and strongest runners in the Bundesliga, with a top speed of 36.2 km/h, which secured him the title of third fastest runner in the league. He also boasts a pass success rate of 87.74% and a tackle success rate of 59.81%, placing him in third of internal team statistics.  

In fact, not only is he talented at the defensive end of the pitch but at the offensive one as well. He scored Canada’s first goal at FIFA World Cup in Qatar against Croatia, which went on to beat Morroco 2 to 1 to claim third place in the tournament. 

Jonathan David

Jonathan David ‘is a 22-year-old forward for the Canadian national team and LOSC Lille of the French Ligue 1. He’s scored 21 goals in 32 caps for Canada and has been on fire this season for Lille, scoring 19 goals in 27 appearances. 

In fact, with his hat trick for LOSC Lille against Olympique Lyonnais in Round 27 of the national championship, he became the first player to go over a 50-goal mark after 43 years.  

His speed, agility with the ball, and decisiveness in front of the goal make him a lethal offensive weapon worthy of the nickname “The Iceman�

Cyle Larin

Cyle Larin, an Ontario native, has been a cornerstone of Canada’s national team since his debut  against Bulgaria on May 23, 2014. He represented the team at CONCACAF Gold Cup, FIFA World Cup and has logged more than 20 caps. 

He is currently playing for Real Valladolid in the Spanish La Liga, on loan from Club Brugge, a team in the Belgian Pro League.

His stint with the Turkish Besiktas was one of the most productive Larin had on an international stage. He scored 23 times in 45 games for Besiktas and propelled them to a Turkish double in 2020/21. During the 2021 season, he netted the ball 14 times for Canada, cementing his status as one of the most important strikers on the national team. 

Tajon Buchanan 

Tajon Buchanan is a Canadian winger currently playing for Club Brugge, together with his fellow countryman Cyle Larin. In 2021, he signed a three-year deal with Club Brugge for an undisclosed amount. That same year, he made his senior team debut for Canada against Aruba. His debut was a 7-0 blowout to which he contributed with two assists. 

Buchanan played gloriously at the Gold Cup, securing himself the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Best Young Player Award and a spot on the national team for FIFA World Cup in 2022. 

Final Thoughts

Canada is not widely considered a soccer powerhouse in America, but that is about to change. As the country prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup together with Mexico and the United States, these players are undoubtedly going to be the focal point of the squad and drive the team’s push for the first-ever knockout stage. 

The US may be out of the World Cup but There is Reason to be Excited

American fans are starting to come to terms with the beautiful game, understanding the nuances and why the USA national side isn’t at the same level as some of the major European teams. Despite this, the USA has a young, strong squad and plenty to be hopeful for.

After bowing out in the knockout stages, there is still a lot of positivise we can take from this World Cup and it should give fans a lot of hope for 2026. Sportsbooks never had the US down as favorites which is understandable, but after the encouraging performances in Qatar, all that could change when we host the World Cup in 2026. If you’re looking to place a bet on any of the teams left in the tournament, take a look at these Colorado sports betting promo codes.

Could They Have Gone Further?

The USA managed to squeeze through in the last group game to finish second, setting themselves up against the Netherlands – one of the greatest footballing nations on earth. It was never going to be an easy game, and for such a young squad, the USA performed admirably.

In the end, experience showed. After failing to qualify, this young team exceeded the football world’s expectations and performed well. Yet, you get the impression they fell short of what they perhaps expected of themselves. Pulisic really stepped up to the starring role that he has shied away from at times in the past. He was a vocal leader in both his attitude and his on-field play. This team will be back and will be stronger.

A Blunted Attacking Edge

This USA team could go head-to-head with any team, but when it comes to playing the more experienced sides, they can come undone. The possession game against Holland was broken down, and the side didn’t really have any other options in attack – they looked out of ideas.

The USA will learn from this, they have another tournament’s worth of experience, and you can only imagine they will improve by the time 2026 comes around. This young side needs to learn how to be more streetwise, but they made it much further than last time around, and that was without an elite striker with very little bench depth.

Star Performers

Tyler Adams had an excellent tournament and was one of the standout performers in the squad. His only mistake ended up costing them. He failed to track back with Memphis Depay, who went on to open the scoring. The Leeds midfielder and newly appointed US captain lived up to the expectation.

Christian Pulisic was involved in every one of the USA’s goals, all the while taking a beating from every defender he came up against. Every defender he came up against was doing anything and everything to keep the star man quiet. He suffered a horrible injury against Iran but still showed up every time he stepped on the pitch.

The team played excellent attacking football but were crying out for a world-class finisher, with excellent chances being missed in every game. Wright missing a perfect chance and then scoring accidentally summarized the team’s problems in front of goal pretty well.

Should Gregg Berhalter Stay as Coach?

Berhalter’s role in reviving a program that had hit a low, regardless of what happens next, has left this US team better than the position he found it in. It sounds harsh, but it may be his time to move on. The US outplayed every side they played in the first half. They then proceeded to sit back in most second halves, allowing teams to attack them.

They struggled to find a route to goal, and some questionable decisions were made by coach Berhalter – some responsibility had to fall on his shoulders. There is a belief that this team could have gone further.

The USA can’t afford to waste the potential of this squad, which could go even further in 2026. A new manager with international experience and tactical knowledge could be what this side needs.

The selected cities in alphabetical order are:

UNITED STATES: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.

MEXICO: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey

CANADA: Toronto, Vancouver

The 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico will host a total of 48 teams and 80 matches under the new expanded format, marking the largest FIFA World Cup in history.

“It’s a historic day for U.S. Soccer and the entire American soccer community, from every corner of our grassroots all the way to the pros and our National Teams,â€?said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “Together with our good friends in Canada and Mexico, we couldn’t be more excited to work with FIFA to host what we think will be the greatest World Cup in history. I want to congratulate all the bid cities that will host games. I know you will all do a fantastic job of sharing your world class stadiums, unique communities and culture, and amazing fans when the world comes to the North America in four years.”

Each of the three host countries had a player representative at the announcement, which was broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Telemundo, the English and Spanish rights holders, respectively, for the tournament when it is broadcast in the United States. U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Christian Pulisic represented the United States, while Mexico was represented by midfielder Hirving Lozano and Canada by midfielder Jonathan Osorio.

The historic tournament will be the first to feature 48 nations, up from 32 that competed in the last seven tournaments dating back to 1998 when the number of participants was increased from 24.