Cheering the Underdogs: How UAE Fans Are Backing Egypt and Japan

In the dim light of his small cafe in Abu Dhabi, Ahmed is setting up a projector on a rickety table near the back. The screen is tacked onto the wall above a shelf lined with Egyptian flags and posters of famous players. He’s been here for twenty years, since before he could legally drink coffee, and every four years, this place becomes his home.

Ahmed's cafe is one of many that transform into tiny slices of Egypt during the World Cup. Tonight, it’s packed with people who have come to cheer on their national team against Japan. The air hums with anticipation as everyone settles in, bringing plates of koshary and falafel they’ve made at home.

Two years earlier, Ahmed had opened his doors early for a match between Egypt and Senegal. That night was different, there were no guarantees that the Pharaohs would make it to this stage again. Now, with Egypt’s place in the tournament confirmed, there's more confidence mixed into the nervous energy of waiting for kickoff.

The room grows quiet as Ahmed turns on the projector. The screen flickers to life, showing a map of Egypt and its football history. He starts talking about the Pharaohs’ journey, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. “This is our chance,” he says simply, before turning back to the game.

Across town, in a quieter part of Dubai, Yasmin is setting up her living room for a Japanese soccer night. She’s a second-generation UAE resident, and while she’s never been to Japan, she’s watched every World Cup match since 2018 with her father, who lived there as a young man.

Yasmin’s apartment has become a hub for friends interested in the tournament. Tonight, it will be full of people from different backgrounds but united by their support for Japan. She’s made sushi and brought out a small Japanese flag she bought on a whim after watching one of the team’s matches last year.

The atmosphere is more subdued here compared to Ahmed's cafe, but there’s still an undercurrent of excitement. Yasmin explains that while her father’s generation was drawn to Japan for its economic promise, his children and grandchildren find themselves cheering for it now because of a different kind of appeal: the team’s discipline and sportsmanship.

The room is full of people who have come to watch the game but also to share stories about why they support this underdog. There are no guarantees that either Egypt or Japan will advance, but there's an understanding among the crowd that cheering for them is a way to connect with something bigger than just the sport.

Back in Ahmed’s cafe, the match begins and the room erupts into cheers as Egypt scores its first goal. People jump up from their seats, waving flags and shouting encouragement. The atmosphere is electric, a mix of joy and tension.

In Yasmin's apartment, the mood is more reflective but no less enthusiastic. Japan’s disciplined play style is on full display, and the crowd watches intently, appreciating each move as if it were a piece of art.

The underdogs draw people in because they offer something that favorites can’t: hope. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, these matches are about more than just football; they’re about community, shared dreams, and the joy of rooting for someone else’s success.