Fifa adds Arabic to its football streaming platform with Mohamed Salah in starring role

Documentaries on the Liverpool attacker and former Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi will mark launch of 'Fifa+' service in run-up to Qatar World Cup finals

Mohamed Salah has signed a new three-year contract with Liverpool. Here 'The National' looks back at a season full of Premier League goals for the Egyptian superstar. Getty Images

1. Mohamed Salah's first goal of the season came in Liverpool's first game of the season, a 3-0 victory at newly promoted Norwich City on August 14. Reuters

2. Salah's second goal came on August 28, in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Reuters

3. No 3 of the season was at Leeds United, where Liverpool won 3-0. EPA

4. Another for Salah in the Premier League in the 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on September 18. AFP

5. A thrilling 3-3 draw at Brentford on September 25 saw Salah claim another goal. AFP

6. A goal that will be talked about for years to come: Salah scores a wonderful strike in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on October 3. EPA

7. The international break did nothing to slow Salah's form, as he danced around Watford's bewildered defence to score in the 5-0 win at Vicarage Road. Reuters

11. After three games without a goal, Salah is back on the scoresheet in the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Premier League on November 20. EPA

12. Another to delight the Liverpool fans as Salah scores his side's second goal during the 4-1 Merseyside derby win at Everton on December 1. AP

13. His next came in the same match at Goodison Park. EPA

14. The only goal of the game in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11. EPA

15. Liverpool keep the momentum going with a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield, with Salah netting the second, on December 16. Reuters

16. Salah celebrates another goal in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on January 2. AP

17. Salah scores the second goal in the 3-1 win against Norwich on February 19. PA

18. Mohamed Salah scores in the 6-0 win against Leeds on February 23. PA

19. Salah after scoring his second goal of the game against Leeds. AP

20. Another stunning season for Mohamed Salah as he notches Premier League goal No 20 in the 2-0 win at Brighton on March 12. PA

21. Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their fourth goal in the 4-0 win against Manchester United on April 19. Reuters

22. Salah celebrates the second goal in 3-1 win against Wolves on May 22. Getty

Fifa has added Arabic as an official language to its football streaming platform, marking the announcement with a documentary focusing on Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

Fifa confirmed on Wednesday that “Fifa+”, the platform launched in April, would now be available in 10 languages, with Arabic joining Bahasa, Italian, Japanese and Korean as new localised editions.

The hope is the new addition would allow for the “Fifa+” to serve a larger audience in the build-up to the World Cup in Qatar later this year – the first global finals to be held in the Middle East and Arab world.

The launch coincided with the release of two new “Original” documentaries: Mo: A Global Icon, which according to Fifa, “charts Mo Salah’s impact on the world”, and Habsi, a “behind-the-scenes journey into the career of [former Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Al Hilal] goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, from Oman to the Premier League, FA Cup glory and beyond”.

Arabic was earlier this year added as an official Fifa language.

Discussing the launch, “Fifa+” head of content, James Marley, said in a statement: “The Arabic world is rich with football narratives, and we’re not only excited to now be making 'Fifa+' more accessible to fans in the region, but to start bringing a global audience to many of its incredible stories.

“We’re kicking off with Mo: A Global Icon and Habsi, but there is so much more to come, from grassroots to the professional game – particularly as we head towards the Fifa World Cup in Qatar.”