Culture
Yemenis' passion for soccer undimmed by war
The seven-year war in Yemen has not wiped out the people's passion for soccer, and the Yemenis' reaction to the World Cup in Qatar is proof.
SANAA, Yemen — Yemenis' excitement about the Qatar World Cup 2022 has overshadowed their anxiety over war since last week.
In coffee shops, public squares and homes, Yemenis are glued to TV screens, cellphones or laptops. They seem to have put aside war worries as they follow the soccer matches.
On Nov. 20, the World Cup kicked off in Doha, the first such event in an Arab country, captivating the focus of soccer fans worldwide, including Yemen.
Though a brutal seven-year conflict has ruined the country and has thrown its population into a catastrophic humanitarian tragedy, it has not wiped out the people's passion for soccer.
