Nouhou uses Qatar experience for FIFA Club World Cup | Seattle Sounders

The appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup is the latest chapter in a meteoric rise for Nouhou, who first arrived at the club in 2016 with no knowledge of English and was completely unfamiliar with his new surroundings. Despite the off-field adjustment period, he was a standout player on the field for Seattle Sounders 2 (now Tacoma Defiance), leading the team in minutes and enabling him to earn a first-team role he has never relinquished.

Nouhou has been an integral part of Rave Green in the years since, suspending opposing attackers in MLS while simultaneously making waves on the international stage. After a memorable performance when Cameroon faced Liverpool superstar Mo Salah in the Africa Cup of Nations, Nouhou made his FIFA World Cup debut for his country in Qatar.

Despite not progressing out of Group G, the Indomitable Lions took pride in sport’s biggest event, beating a solid Serbia side 3-3 and earning a 1-0 win over mighty Brazil in their final game.

“It was a really good experience for me, exciting to play in my first World Cup,” Nouhou recalled of his time in Qatar. “Awesome experience, the city was amazing, the people there were so nice. It was much more muslim so I feel like home. So, it was a good experience, especially the food, the people that were there, yes, it was a very good World Cup.

“…I was a bit nervous because it was my first time at a World Cup. The last game was an amazing experience, especially against Brazil who play against big players.”