Football enjoys a massive global following, but the Arab world stands out for its passionate love for the sport. Millions of fans from the region eagerly follow football action throughout the season, with sports betting becoming a prevalent pastime. Online football betting has witnessed steady growth in the Arab world. So, which teams are the favorites among bettors in this region?
Egypt’s Zamalek Team
Zamalek is one of the most successful football teams in Africa and the Middle East. The club holds the most titles in the 20th century in African football and is a common selection for Arabian bettors in the Egyptian Premier League. The club was founded in January 1911 and was later renamed for a second time to Zamalek in 1952. The team quickly became one of the most dominant sides throughout its early history, winning the Sultan Hussein Cup in 1921 before winning the Egypt Cup in the following season.
Zamalek is one of just two clubs that have played every season in the Egyptian Premier League, and they are one of just seven that have never been relegated to the second tier. Success has followed them throughout history, as they won the CAF Champions League on five occasions and became the first Egyptian side to reach the FIFA Club World Cup in 2000.
Morocco’s Raja Team
Morocco is one of the most successful African nations in the region, but there is no surprise that the most popular team at the domestic level is Raja Club Athletic. The Green Eagles were founded in 1949, with their famous green kits being a prominent factor throughout Moroccan footballing history. The team was one of the founding members of Botola, and they are famous for being one of the few sides that have never been relegated from the top tier since the league’s inception in 1956.
They have been a major force throughout history, especially during the 1990s. During that period, they won the CAF Champions League on three occasions and won the league title on seven occasions in ten seasons. Some of the most legendary players in African history have played for the team, including Salaheddine Bassir, Mustapha Chadili, and Abdelmajid Dolmy.
Jordan’s Al-Faisaly Team
Al-Faisaly ranks among the most popular African teams in history, and they have been extremely popular among bettors throughout their history. The team was founded in 1954 and competed in the First Division League in Saudi Arabia. The team was named after King Faisal, who was the crown prince when the team was founded.
They were among the most exciting teams to watch in the top flight following their promotion in 2009-10. Al-Faisaly came close to achieving a historic feat in 2018 but lost in the King Cup Final. However, they finally won the competition for the first time just four years later.
Tunisia’s Esperance Team
Football is one of the most followed sports in Tunisia, and millions of fans watch the domestic action throughout the season. Esperance de Tunis is the most popular team in the competition, and they have gained a massive following since their formation in 1919. Esperance is considered one of the continent’s greatest African teams, and they often fill out their 60,000-capacity stadium in Tunis.
They have achieved huge success on the field throughout their history, landing the Tunisian Professional League 1 title on 32 occasions. Furthermore, they have won the Tunisian Cup on 15 occasions and have landed six Tunisian Super League crowns. All of which are domestic records in the nation.
Saudi’s Al-Hilal Team
The Saudi Pro League is enjoying a golden age, with a number of world stars joining the Arabian competition. However, Al Hilal remains one of the dominant forces in the competition, as they are historically the most decorated club in Asia, having won 66 official trophies throughout their history.
Al Hilal has won the top-flight title on 18 occasions and was a founding member of the Saudi Professional League in 1976. The team has won eight Asian Confederation trophies, including the AFC Champions League on four occasions. They remain a dominant force in the domestic game following the record-breaking signing of Brazilian superstar Neymar in 2023.
Sophisticated Betting Apps
Betting operators have upgraded their apps to provide a better online betting experience. These apps are designed with Arabic language support and Middle Eastern-specific interfaces for Middle Eastern users. Additionally, 24/7 customer service is necessary to handle the surge of new gamers. Real-time data feeds, live betting possibilities, user-friendly mobile interfaces, and various wagering options for each event are just a few of the advanced features that sports betting apps currently provide. For customers in the Middle East and elsewhere, these services have become standard in online sports betting, improving the whole experience.
