The UEFA European Football Championship, more commonly known as the Euros, is finally back, which means that men from all points of the globe will be glued to their screens from day to night once again. Held every four years, the month-long competition invites a handful of national teams from the old continent to vie for the prestigious title of best team in Europe— and we can’t wait for it to kick off.
With 30 teams split up into six groups, Europe’s crème de la crème are set to clash from June 14 to July 14, in stadiums all across Germany, where the tournament will take place. With thousands of fans expected to flood bars, cafés, and outdoor patios with their national team’s jerseys and flags, the excitement is more than just tangible.
Ahead of these next few weeks of sporting thrill, we’ve compiled a list of Arab players expected to shine at this year’s Euros. Below, five players of Arab descent to keep an eye out on this month.
Lamine Yamal
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Representing Spain, the one who is set to become the youngest athlete to ever compete in a European Championship game could have played for Morocco or Guinea in another life. Born to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, the 16-year-old, who’s already considered a promising player despite his young age, could be on his way to cement his status as a future football legend if he makes his mark at the upcoming tournament.
Fun fact: He recently revealed having to bring some of his school homework to the quadrennial competition as he is still enrolled at high school and still has a few weeks ahead of him before he passes his year.
William Saliba
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Fortifying France’s defensive line, William Saliba, of Cameroonian and Lebanese descent, is one of the players expected to make large contributions to his national team’s ambitions in Germany. Currently a stalwart for Arsenal FC, he aims to bounce back after a close miss in the English title race and make things up by securing a piece of silverware under the French banner.
Kylian Mbappé
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By now, Kylian Mbappé really needs no introduction. A FIFA World Cup finalist on two separate occasions and a seven-time French league champion, the part-Algerian striker— who’s recently inked a deal to move to recent Champions League winners Real Madrid— is undoubtedly one of the most closely-followed stars in modern day football. His electrifying pace, clinical finishing, and knack for decisive moments — which have now become hallmark traits of his playing style — are expected to be brought back as he aims to lead his country to its first European Cup victory in over two decades
Stephan El Shaarawy
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Over 10 years since his debut with Italy in 2012, Stephan El Shaarawy could, at 31, be the leading force behind the Squadra Azzura’s campaign for glory in the upcoming Euros in Germany. Winners of the last edition already, the part-Egyptian left-winger, who could have played for his father’s homeland in another timeline, could play a pivotal role in Italy’s aspirations for another European championship in the next few weeks.
Zeki Amdouni
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Born to a Turkish father and a Tunisian mother, 23-year-old Zeki Amdouni chose to play for his country of birth, Switzerland. With seven goals in fifteen call ups with his national team, the attacking midfielder, who spent the last season with Burnley in the English Premier League, could be the player not many would have placed their bets on prior to the competition but that could prove to be one of the revelations of the tournament if things go well. Either way, we’ll be watching him!
