The Mauritanian beach soccer team, known as the "Warriors of the Sand," finished as runners-up in the 2026 Arab Cup, losing to Morocco in a thrilling final match held in Port Said, Egypt. The match ended with a score of 6-5 in favor of Morocco, with 11 goals scored in total. The game was played on the beachside stadium of Port Said, with a large crowd in attendance.
According to reports from Moroccan media outlets, Mauritania took a commanding 4-1 lead early in the game, but Morocco staged a remarkable comeback, scoring five unanswered goals to take the lead. Morocco's Idris Ghanam scored two goals, while the rest of the goals were scored by Al-Qurayshi, Al-Zaharawi, Al-Jabari, and Al-Bidouri. The loss was a heartbreaking one for the Mauritanian team, who had been hoping to claim their first Arab Cup title.
The Mauritanian team had had a remarkable run in the tournament, topping Group A after winning against Iraq 8-1 and host nation Egypt 4-1, and losing to Saudi Arabia 2-3. In the semifinals, they edged out Lebanon 5-3 to secure a spot in the final. Morocco, on the other hand, reached the final by defeating Egypt 3-2 in their semifinal match.
The 2026 Arab Cup was the fifth edition of the tournament, which featured eight Arab teams competing in Egypt from November 5 to 9. With this win, Morocco became the third team to win the title, after Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who had shared the previous four titles between them. The Moroccan team celebrated their first-ever Arab Cup title in beach soccer.
The loss means that Mauritania will have to regroup and focus on their upcoming matches, including the 2026 African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to take place in Senegal from November 28 to December 6. Mauritania will be competing in Group B alongside Morocco, Malawi, and Angola. The team will look to bounce back from their Arab Cup loss and make a strong impression in the African tournament.
The 2026 Arab Cup final was a closely contested match that went down to the wire, with Morocco ultimately emerging victorious. Despite the loss, the Mauritanian team can take pride in their impressive run in the tournament and their performances against top Arab teams. The team's coach and players will look to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in future competitions.
The Arab Cup loss was a setback for Mauritania, but the team's performance in the tournament has given them valuable experience and exposure. The team will look to build on their strengths and work on their weaknesses as they prepare for future challenges, including the African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.
Key points
- Morocco won their first Arab Cup title in beach soccer, defeating Mauritania 6-5 in the final.
- Mauritania had taken a 4-1 lead in the final but lost to Morocco's comeback.
- The 2026 Arab Cup was held in Egypt from November 5 to 9, featuring eight Arab teams competing in beach soccer.
