: It allowed players in the MENA region to experience the game in their native language with familiar catchphrases and emotional reactions. Cultural Phrases : The commentary included specific cultural nuances and El Shawali's
FIFA 15 continued the tradition of full Arabic localization, and by that point, the two-commentator issue had been addressed to some extent. FIFA 15 became “one of the first major sports games to introduce full Arabic commentary and menus,” creating a localized experience that resonated even more deeply with players. FIFA 21, for example, listed Arabic as one of its playable commentary languages, alongside English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, and others.
The FIFA series has been widely popular in the MENA region, with many fans eagerly awaiting the release of each new installment. However, prior to FIFA 14, the game's commentary was only available in English, which may have created a barrier for fans who were not fluent in the language. By introducing Arabic commentary, EA Sports aimed to create a more immersive experience for fans in the region, making the game more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.
Before FIFA 14, Arabic commentary in football games was sparse or poorly dubbed. EA Sports secured an exclusive partnership with Saudi broadcaster Al-Kass Sports Channel , hiring El-Shawali (known for his poetic, hyperbolic style) and Al-Harigi (analytical and calm). The phrase “exclusive” was heavily marketed, as no other football game—including rival Pro Evolution Soccer —had such a region-specific, high-production commentary.
Localizing the Virtual Pitch: The Impact of Exclusive Arabic Commentary in FIFA 14 1. Introduction fifa 14 arabic commentary exclusive
The inclusion of Arabic commentary acted as a massive catalyst for the growth of in the Middle East. With the game menus, text, and audio now fully localized, a massive wave of new players entered the online ecosystem.
The commentators reacted accurately to the context of the match. If you were playing a fierce rivalry match, the tone was tense and aggressive. If a team was passing the ball slowly to waste time, Chawali would openly criticize the tactics.
Thanks to the efforts of online communities and preservationists, the Arabic commentary files for FIFA 14 remain accessible more than a decade after the game’s release. The Internet Archive’s ensures that new generations of players can experience this piece of gaming history. Modding communities continue to create patches that allow players to install Arabic commentary on PC versions that lack it natively.
Dozens of mods (like FIFA 14 Legacy Patch and Infinity Patch ) exist solely to restore these audio files. The demand is so high that some modders have spent 500+ hours cleaning the audio and mapping the old lines onto new players like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. : It allowed players in the MENA region
When EA removed the raw "Exclusive" audio in FIFA 15 (replacing it with a more corporate tone), the modding community revolted. For PC players, the dream is to port the into modern game engines.
Serving as the perfect analytical counterpart, Al-Mubarak provided tactical depth and structured insights, balancing El Shawaly’s raw emotion with analytical precision.
The success of the Arabic commentary in FIFA 14 paved the way for subsequent EA Sports titles. It set a standard for localization that has since evolved, allowing Arabic commentary to become a staple in modern football games.
erupted through the speakers, his voice cracking with genuine passion before a ball had even been kicked. He wasn't just describing a game; he was reciting an epic. FIFA 21, for example, listed Arabic as one
For the next six months, they recorded in a converted warehouse. It was chaos. El-Shawaly brought a small tabla drum to pound during penalty shootouts. Mousa would rip off his headphones and scream “Aaaaah, ya Allah, madha fa’alt??” (What have you done?!) when a defender own-goaled. The sound engineers—German, stoic, used to the monotone of English commentary—were horrified. Then, they were delighted.
While Arabic commentary was technically introduced to the franchise in FIFA 12, FIFA 14 perfected the integration. The Ignite Engine on next-gen consoles allowed the audio engine to sync more dynamically with on-pitch events, resulting in several exclusive upgrades:
In the 89th minute, with the score tied, Omar broke clear with Ronaldo. As he powered toward the goal, El Shawaly