Sports Desk (MNN); The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the Arab world’s biggest football event, will begin on Monday with Tunisia facing Syria in the opening match. Sixteen regional teams will compete across six World Cup–standard venues in Qatar, with the final scheduled for December 18. The tournament, held every four years, comprises 32 matches and will conclude with a third-place playoff and the championship final on the same day.
Tournament timeline:
• Group matches: December 1 to 9
• Quarterfinals: December 11–12
• Semifinals: December 15
• Third-place playoff: December 18
• Final: December 18
Qatar, hosting the tournament for the third time, previously staged the 1998 and 2021 editions. It also hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The 2025 event marks the second official FIFA-run edition; earlier tournaments were under the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA).
Stadiums and host cities:
• Lusail City – Lusail Stadium (88,966 capacity)
• Al Rayyan – Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (45,032)
• Al Khor – Al Bayt Stadium (68,895)
• Doha – Stadium 974 (44,089) and Khalifa International Stadium (45,857)
• Education City – Education City Stadium (44,667)
Participating nations (16 teams):
• Group A: Tunisia, Syria, Qatar, Palestine
• Group B: Morocco, Comoros, Saudi Arabia, Oman
• Group C: Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, UAE
• Group D: Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Bahrain
Palestine secured its place by beating Libya 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in Doha — a result that brought emotional celebration amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Coach Ihab Abu Jazar said the team plays not only for trophies, but to uplift its people and represent the Palestinian cause through football.
Record prize fund and tournament format
The 2025 edition will offer over $36.5 million in prize money, a notable increase from the $25.5 million available in 2021. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage. If matches remain tied after full time, 30 minutes of extra play and then penalties will decide the winner.
Iraq remains the most successful nation with four Arab Cup titles. Saudi Arabia follows with two, while Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have each won once. Reigning champions Algeria defeated Tunisia 2-0 in extra time to win the 2021 final. Historically, AFC nations have claimed six titles, compared with four by CAF teams.
World Cup crossover
Seven Arab Cup contenders — Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria — have already qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Arab Cup therefore serves as a preview of teams that could shape the expanded 48-nation tournament in North America. Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and World Cup debutants Jordan are among the favourites based on recent qualification results.
Key players to watch
• Ali Olwan (Jordan) – 9 World Cup qualifying goals
• Aymen Hussein (Iraq) – 8 qualifying goals
• Aymen Dahmen (Tunisia) – 6 clean sheets in qualifiers
• Akram Afif (Qatar) – star playmaker and national icon
• Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) – strong form, top assists list
Tickets and broadcast
Tickets went on sale in September with single-match prices starting at $7. Team-based packages are now sold out, and tickets for the final — originally priced from $14 — have also sold out. Viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch all matches live in Arabic exclusively on beIN SPORTS PPV from December 1 to 18.
The 2025 Arab Cup stands not only as a football spectacle but as a cultural showcase, uniting the Arab world through sport and offering a preview of the region’s rising football powers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
