The Arabic commentary in , featuring the iconic voices of Essam El Shawali and Abdullah Al-Mubarak Harbi
, is widely regarded by players as one of the most high-energy and immersive additions to the series. Review Highlights & Gameplay Impact
High Energy & Passion: Unlike the often "bland" or "golf-like" tone of some English commentary, the Arabic version is celebrated for its emotional intensity. Reviewers note that El Shawali's signature reactions—such as his enthusiastic "oh ho hoooo" or his excitement after a volley—make the matches feel significantly more like a real football broadcast.
Authentic Details: The commentary includes specific call names and detailed player background. For instance, when using players like Zlatan Ibrahimović, the commentator might use his full nickname ("Zlatan Ibra"), and for major derbies like El Clásico, the commentary often includes historical references to the teams and players.
Variety and Longevity: Players who find the standard English lines repetitive (like the "bulldog-like approach" or "tallest player on the pitch" memes) often switch to Arabic for a fresh experience that feels "much more expansive and realistic". Technical Availability & Requirements
Regional Exclusivity: The Arabic commentary was historically a major selling point for the Middle Eastern versions of the game but is accessible in other regions depending on the platform. Platform Specifics:
PC: Users can typically download the language pack through the EA App/Origin by changing the game's properties/settings.
Consoles (PS3/Xbox 360): While FIFA supported Arabic on these consoles from FIFA 12 to 19, availability depends on the specific game disc variant and region-locking.
System Performance: FIFA 14 is well-optimized for older hardware, requiring a minimum of an NVIDIA GeForce 6800GT or ATI Radeon HD 3600. Summary of Pros & Cons Pros Cons
Immersion: Exceptional passion and emotional "soul" compared to English versions.
Regional Constraints: Can be difficult to find or activate on certain console versions due to region-locking.
Unique Flavor: Distinctive player nicknames and historical context for big matches.
Language Barrier: If you don't speak the language, you lose the literal meaning, though the energy is still highly praised.
Variety: Breaks the monotony of repetitive standard commentary lines.
Legacy Limitations: As an older title, some modern players may be missing from the original files unless using modded updates.
The ingame commentary declined so hard in quality since Pre-fifa 18 fifa 14 arabic commentary exclusive
By 2015, FIFA 16 added new Arabic commentators (including the legendary Fahad Al-Otaibi). But fans remained loyal to the FIFA 14 duo. Why? Because El-Shawaly and Mousa were not reading lines. They were reacting. EA had given them freedom: no script for 80% of the banter. Just a screen showing the gameplay and a microphone.
In a 2023 retrospective, Thompson admitted: “We broke every rule of sports commentary localization. We told them, ‘Be yourselves.’ And ‘themselves’ was two Egyptian uncles arguing over a fake football match at 2 AM. It was perfect.”
Mousa passed away in 2021. El-Shawaly retired, but in every interview, he is asked the same question: “What was your favorite FIFA 14 line?”
He always smiles and says the same thing: “The one we never recorded. When the match ended and Abdullah looked at me and said, ‘Essam, we just made millions of kids laugh. That’s better than any trophy.’”
To this day, you can walk into any gaming café from Casablanca to Doha. You will hear the crackle of old speakers. You will hear a virtual Mohamed Salah cut inside. And you will hear the ghost of Abdullah Mousa scream: “YALLA, YA WALAD! DAWWR HAWN!” (Go, boy! Turn and shoot!)
And Essam El-Shawaly will reply, calm as ever: “Shwayya, shwayya. Al-ajala min al-shaytan.” (Slowly, slowly. Haste is from the devil.)
The crowd roars. The ball hits the net. And for just a moment, the machine becomes human.
THE END
The Arabic commentary in , featuring renowned Tunisian commentator Issam Chaouali and Abdullah Al-Mubarak Harbi
, was highly praised for its authenticity and emotional delivery. Key Features & Review Summary High Energy: Issam Chaouali
is famous for his signature "Goooool" calls and passionate reactions, which added a level of excitement often missing from the standard English commentary.
Cultural Context: The commentary included phrases and idioms specific to Middle Eastern football culture, making it feel "exclusive" and tailor-made for the Arabic-speaking audience.
Seamless Integration: 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.
Voice Quality: The recording quality was clear, and both commentators were praised for their chemistry and professional pacing throughout the 90 minutes. Limitations
Repetition: Like most early FIFA commentary packs, phrases could become repetitive after several hours of gameplay. The Arabic commentary in , featuring the iconic
Regional Exclusivity: Depending on the platform and region (e.g., European vs. Middle Eastern versions), this commentary was sometimes locked or required a specific FIFA 14 commentary update or DLC to access. FIFA 14 commentary update
The inclusion of Arabic commentary in FIFA 14 was a massive commercial win for EA. It signaled that the MENA region was not just a secondary market, but a primary focus. For years, Arab gamers had felt like second-class citizens in the gaming world, forced to consume content in a second language. FIFA 14 changed the narrative.
Social media in the region erupted upon the game's release. It became a cultural touchstone. Suddenly, gaming clips were being shared with Arabic voiceovers, and living rooms across Riyadh, Cairo, and Dubai were filled with the familiar sounds of Chawali’s voice. It bridged the gap between the virtual and the real.
While the distribution method in FIFA 14 was controversial and restrictive, the success of the feature forced EA Sports to change its approach in subsequent titles.
In FIFA 15, Arabic commentary returned, but it became a free, standard downloadable commentary pack via the Origin store, accessible to anyone regardless of where they bought the game. This effectively ended the "exclusivity" era. EA continued to refine the commentary in later years, eventually rotating commentators (such as the addition of Khalil Al-Balushi for the Gulf dialect in later editions) to cater to different dialects within the Arab world.
However, FIFA 14 remains the pioneer. It was the moment EA Sports proved that the Middle East was not just a market for sales, but a region worthy of dedicated, high-budget localization.
FIFA 14 will be remembered for many things—the crisp shooting, the overpowered headers, and the soundtrack. But for the Arab world, it will always be remembered as the year the game finally came home. It was the moment a global
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
The "exclusive" feel of the FIFA 14 Arabic commentary stems from the legendary pairing of Essam El Shawali Abdullah Al-Mubarak
. El Shawali, widely regarded as one of the greatest Arab commentators of all time, brought his high-energy, poetic style—famous from his work on beIN Sports —directly into the game. Why FIFA 14 Was a Game-Changer
FIFA 14 served as the bridge between console generations, launching on both the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 and the then-new PlayStation 4/Xbox One. The inclusion of Arabic commentary was part of a larger push to enhance realism Regional Immersive Experience
: 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
signature cries of "Yalla!" and "Allaaaaah," which weren't present in other language packs. Localization Milestone
: FIFA 14 was among the first titles to fully localize menus and commentary to such a high production standard for the Arab market. Technical Requirements for FIFA 14 (PC)
If you are revisiting this classic on a PC today, the system requirements are remarkably low by modern standards: Minimum Requirement Recommended Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz GeForce 6600 GT / Radeon HD 3600 GeForce 8800 GT / Radeon HD 4650 How to Access the Arabic Commentary Part 4: The Legacy By 2015, FIFA 16
While FIFA 14 is no longer on digital storefronts, those with physical copies or legacy digital licenses can often toggle the language: Launch the Game : When you first start FIFA 14, a language selection screen typically appears. Settings Menu : If the game is already in another language, navigate to Game Settings : Use the shoulder buttons (L1/R1 or LB/RB) to reach the Commentary Language : Change the "Commentary Language" to
. If it is not listed, your specific regional disc may not include the pack, or it may require a separate legacy DLC download from the platform's original store. specific patch
Arabic commentary was a landmark addition for the Middle East region, featuring the voice of the renowned Tunisian commentator Issam Chaouali
. While initially released as a "Middle East Edition" exclusive for consoles, it has since become a popular modding feature for PC players. Key Commentary Personnel Issam Chaouali
: The primary lead commentator. Known for his high-energy, passionate style, he is one of the most famous voices in the Arab world, with a career at beIN Sports and over 50 industry awards. Abdullah Al-Mubarak
: Joined as the secondary commentator to provide the standard dual-commentary experience found in other FIFA languages. Availability and Platform Details
Console (Official): The Arabic commentary was officially integrated into the FIFA 14 Middle East Edition for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
PC (Official vs. Mods): Officially, the PC version often lacked the Arabic pack at launch. However, users can now download standalone language pack files (typically including .big and .bh audio files) and install them manually into the game directory to enable the option.
Mobile: An official Arabic commentary pack was also released for the FIFA 14 Android/iOS versions, though it required an in-app download due to file size constraints. Installation for PC (Common Method)
For players using the PC version who do not see Arabic in their settings, the following method is commonly used to "unlock" or add it:
Language Packs: Download the ar_sa commentary files from trusted community repositories like FIFA patches forums.
Placement: Place the files (e.g., commentary_ar_sa.big) into the Game/data/audio folder.
Registry Edit: Some versions require editing the Windows Registry (regedit) to change the "Locale" to ar_SA to force the game to recognize the new audio.
Game Settings: Launch the game and navigate to Game Settings > Audio to select Arabic as the Commentary Language. Why It Was "Exclusive"
The Arabic commentary was marketed as an exclusive feature of the FIFA 14 Middle East Edition
to better compete with Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), which had previously secured strong localization in the region. It marked one of the first times EA Sports provided full, native-level commentary for Arab fans, featuring real-time call names and unique cultural expressions.