: Known for his poetic descriptions and explosive energy during goals. Abdullah Al-Mubarak Harbi
He brought his signature phrases to the game, creating an immersive experience that made players feel like they were watching a top-tier European match on local Arab TV. Why the FIFA 14 Arabic Commentary Was a Major Deal
While newer titles like EA Sports FC continue the tradition, many purists still seek out the files for PC or legacy consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360.
Chawali and Al-Harbi recorded region-specific idioms, phrases, and emotional outbursts that are unique to Arab football culture. When a player missed a sitter, the commentary didn't just say "he should have scored"; it carried the specific tone of disappointment that Arab viewers recognize instantly. When a goal was scored, Chawali’s iconic, elongated "Goooooal" cry gave players the same goosebumps they got watching a live El Clásico broadcast. fifa 14 arabic commentary exclusive
Speaking to ArabicGamers, producer Sebastian Enrique acknowledged the challenge:
September 24, 2013. FIFA 14 launched globally. But in the Middle East—Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan—something unprecedented happened. Stores opened at midnight. Lines wrapped around blocks. Gamers didn’t care about Ultimate Team packs or the new Ignite Engine. They went straight to Settings > Audio > Commentary Language > Arabic.
In the sprawling history of sports video games, certain editions transcend their release window to become legendary. For fans of the FIFA franchise, FIFA 14 holds a special place. But for a specific, passionate subset of the community—spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond—there is one phrase that triggers instant dopamine: : Known for his poetic descriptions and explosive
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For the first time in the series, the Arabic commentary felt deeply integrated into the match's flow rather than just translated, reacting accurately to tackles, fouls, and late-game drama.
For fans of classic football gaming, Arabic commentary remains one of the most significant milestones in the franchise's history. It marked a period where EA Sports began heavily investing in regional authenticity, bringing the iconic voices of the Middle East to a global stage. The Iconic Duo: Essam El Shawali and Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-ajala min al-shaytan.” (Slowly
The audio team recorded detailed backstories for hundreds of global superstars and Arab legends, meaning the commentators would discuss a player's recent real-world form or career achievements during the match. The Lasting Legacy on Sports Gaming
Have you experienced the FIFA 14 Arabic commentary? Share your memories and favorite commentary moments in the comments below!
And Essam El-Shawaly will reply, calm as ever: “Shwayya, shwayya. Al-ajala min al-shaytan.” (Slowly, slowly. Haste is from the devil.)
For FIFA 14, the Arabic commentary was primarily highlighted through a dedicated Middle East Edition (specifically for PS3 and Xbox 360). The Talent
If you experience missing or malfunctioning commentary, the simplest fix is to set your PC's sound output to stereo. The game's audio engine sometimes conflicts with surround sound settings.