An Emirati fan fulfills his promise and travels to Mexico in support of the Iraqi national team

The Emirati fan, Mohammed Al Mazrouei, revealed an exceptional story of loyalty that he lived on the football field, which began with supporting the UAE national team in Basra during its journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and ended with supporting the Iraq national team against Bolivia in Mexico in the match through which the “Lions of Mesopotamia” qualified for the World Cup for the second time in their history, indicating that he fulfilled a promise he made to the Iraqi fans after facing the Asian playoff qualifier for the World Cup, in a scene that reflects the depth of The relationship between Arab fans on and off the field.

The details of the story go back to the national team’s match against Iraq in Basra, which witnessed a huge crowd attendance exceeding 60,000 fans, amid an exceptional atmosphere of enthusiasm and welcome.

Despite the importance and sensitivity of the match, as it was decisive in the path to qualifying for the global playoff, what caught Al Mazrouei’s attention was not only inside the stadium, but rather what he saw of the reception, upscale treatment, and generous hospitality from the Iraqi fans, which left a deep impact on him and prompted him to take an unusual decision after the end of the match to continue his presence in the stadiums as a fan of the Iraqi team despite the UAE team’s exit from the qualifiers.

Muhammad Al-Mazroui told Emirates Al-Youm: “After what I saw from the Iraqi fans in Basra, the warm welcome and more than wonderful reception, I felt that what is happening goes beyond just a football match, but rather is a great humanitarian stance that reflects the authenticity of this people.”

He added: “Before the match, I told the fans there that we would follow whoever qualified, whether it was the UAE or Iraq, because we reached this difficult stage together, and both teams presented a journey worthy of appreciation, and it was important for me to be part of this scene.”

He continued: “I was confident that the UAE national team would qualify because of its distinguished players, and we were very close to reaching the global playoff, but we did not succeed in the end, and this is a natural part of football that only recognizes small details.”

He explained: “After the match, I did not hesitate to fulfill my promise, and decided to travel to Mexico to support the Iraqi national team, because what I saw in Basra was more than just a result, and it deserved to be met with the same spirit.”

He added: “In Mexico, I met the Iraqi fans again, and their attitude was wonderful, as some of them were surprised by my presence and asked me why I came. My response was that your team has become our team, and we are here to support you, and this is the least we can offer after what we saw from you.”

He pointed out: “The matter was not limited to welcoming, but they provided tickets for my brothers, a position that confirms that what we saw in Iraq was not just slogans, but rather real behavior that is repeated everywhere. My brothers were not interested in football, but after the atmosphere and encouragement they experienced, they were keen to attend and support the Iraqi team, and it was a different experience for them, full of positive feelings.”

Al Mazrouei stressed that football should be a means of rapprochement, saying: “Football unites us and does not divide us, and this experience confirmed to me that what is most important is not the result, but rather the feelings and human relationships it leaves behind that remain for a long time.”

Regarding the national team, he said: “I do not hold any player responsible for the exit. We were very close to qualifying, and every player is vulnerable to mistakes. Khaled Issa gave a lot to Emirati football, and he cannot be judged from one position, because what was achieved previously was the result of teamwork.”

He concluded his speech by saying: “What happened on this trip made me believe more that sport is a message, and that loyalty and appreciation are what remains in the end, regardless of the results.”