Essential Details for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar
The FIFA Arab Cup 2025 is set to begin in Qatar, bringing together 16 teams from across the Arab world. This prestigious tournament occurs every four years, and excitement is building as the opening match approaches.
Key Dates of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025
The tournament kicks off on December 1, 2025, with Tunisia facing Syria in the opening match. The championship culminates with the final on December 18. Here are important dates for the tournament:
- Group Stage: December 1 to 9
- Quarterfinals: December 11 and 12
- Semifinals: December 15
- Third-Place Playoff: December 18
- Final: December 18
Location of the Tournament
Qatar is hosting the Arab Cup for the third time, having previously organized it in 1998 and 2021. The event is being held in six prestigious venues, all of which were used during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Notable stadiums include:
- Lusail Stadium: 88,966 capacity (Final venue)
- Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan): 45,032 capacity
- Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor): 68,895 capacity (Opening match venue)
- Stadium 974 (Doha): 44,089 capacity
- Education City Stadium: 44,667 capacity
- Khalifa International Stadium (Doha): 45,857 capacity
Participating Teams
Sixteen teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will compete. Automatic qualifiers include host nation Qatar and defending champions Algeria. The remaining teams won their spots through qualification matches. The groups are as follows:
- Group A: Tunisia, Syria, Qatar, Palestine
- Group B: Morocco, Comoros, Saudi Arabia, Oman
- Group C: Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, United Arab Emirates
- Group D: Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Bahrain
Palestine’s Journey to Qualification
Palestine secured its place by defeating Libya in a tense penalty shootout, winning 4-3 after a scoreless match. This achievement holds special significance for Palestinians given the current circumstances in Gaza.
Prize Money and Tournament Format
The 2025 edition will feature a record prize pool exceeding $36.5 million, a significant increase from the previous prize of $25.5 million in 2021. The tournament format includes a knockout stage where the top two teams from each group will proceed to the quarterfinals, followed by semifinals and finals. Matches that end in a draw will go to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
History and Prestige of the Arab Cup
The Arab Cup has a storied history, with Iraq holding the record for the most titles at four. Other successful teams include Saudi Arabia with two championships. Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria have each won once, with Algeria being the defending champion.
Significance of the Arab Cup
The tournament plays a key role in promoting Arab culture and football. It serves as a preview for the teams that will compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. Seven participating nations in the Arab Cup will also contend in the World Cup.
Favorites and Key Players
Several teams are considered frontrunners for the title, including Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt. Notable players to watch include:
- Ali Olwan (Jordan)
- Aymen Hussein (Iraq)
- Aymen Dahmen (Tunisia)
- Akram Afif (Qatar)
- Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)
Viewing Options and Ticket Information
Fans can purchase tickets for the tournament on the official ticketing platform. Ticket prices start at $7 for individual matches. The Arab Cup matches will be exclusively available in the Middle East and North Africa on beIN SPORTS PPV from December 1 to 18.
