Algeria will face the United States on Wednesday in Pretoria, a game Arabs said they would be watching keenly, not just because of the soccer, but because they will be wishing for an Arab victory against the superpower.
If not in politics or economics, then soccer will do.
"We want to win against the USA — if we can't beat them politically or economically then at least we can do it in football," said Libyan sports commentator Mohamed Barakat.
While Washington is politically allied with many Middle East governments, Arabs have long complained that US policy in the region is behind their conflicts and economic woes.
The US-led invasion of Iraq added to a widespread anti-American sentiment.
Pan-Arab and Muslim groups on social networking site Facebook appeared urging support for Algeria.
Algerian flags were flying in the streets of Sudan's capital, Khartoum, the venue where they qualified for their first World Cup in 24 years.
One Lebanese paper said Algeria "embarrassed" the England team on Friday in Cape Town.
Arab nations do not enjoy a prestigious history in international soccer, but many say this young Algerian team, many of whom play in European clubs, could change this trend.
Most expected England to thrash Algeria, dogged by injuries and without a leading striker.
But after a lackluster 90 minutes they managed to frustrate any attempt to score, forcing a 0-0 draw which angered England fans who booed their team.
Even some Egyptians were able to forget their bitter loss to Algeria, which denied the African champions a place in the first World Cup finals on African soil in a grudge match marred by violence and which sparked a diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
"I want Algeria to win the game because it is the only Arab team left in the World Cup," said Egyptian taxi driver Mahmoud Bassiyouny.
One Egyptian security official said: "If (Algeria) ... wins against the Americans it can move into the next round — it would be an honor for Arabs."
Algeria was unlucky to lose its first match against Slovenia 1-0 because of a goalkeeper error after dominating play.
Key striker Abdelkader Ghezzal was also sent off, barring him from the England match too.
All eyes will now be on the upcoming match against the US team. A win could create an upset and propel Algeria to the last 16. But many will not care about the soccer.
"I am 100 hundred percent cheering against the Americans because they are the reason for all of our problems," said 35-year-old Lebanese Fadia Khalil, on a beach near Beirut.
Sudanese Samir Eltayeb said the match would be tense for more than just the sport.
"To play England it's about the football, to play America it's more than that. For Algeria to beat the USA it will be brilliant for any Arab anywhere in the world — even the Egyptians."
