The Arab world’s largest soccer competitors kicks off on Monday, as 16 groups from throughout the area face off in Qatar.
Right here’s all the pieces you could know concerning the event, which happens each 4 years:
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What are the important thing dates?
The FIFA Arab Cup 2025 will start on Monday, with Tunisia dealing with Syria within the event opener.
The ultimate shall be performed on December 18, marking the conclusion of the 32-match event.
- Group stage: December 1 to 9
- Quarterfinals: December 11 and 12
- Semifinals: December 15
- Third-place playoff: December 18
- Remaining: December 18
The place is the event being held?
Qatar is staging the Arab Cup for the third time; it hosted the 1998 and 2021 tournaments. Additionally it is the second successive FIFA event hosted by the Gulf nation after the lately concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Six venues have been chosen to host the regional showpiece, every of which was used in the course of the FIFA World Cup three years in the past.
As was the case throughout Qatar 2022, Al Bayt Stadium, within the northern metropolis of Al Khor, will host the event opener, whereas the magnificent Lusail Stadium will host the ultimate.
The 2025 Arab Cup would be the second version below FIFA’s jurisdiction, with editions earlier than 2021 organised by the Union of Arab Soccer Associations (UAFA).
Listed here are the host cities and stadiums:
⚽ Lusail Metropolis: Lusail Stadium (capability: 88,966)
⚽ Al Rayyan: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (capability: 45,032)
⚽ Al Khor: Al Bayt Stadium (capability: 68,895)
⚽ Doha: Stadium 974 (capability: 44,089)
⚽ Schooling Metropolis: Schooling Metropolis Stadium (capability: 44,667)
⚽ Doha: Khalifa Worldwide Stadium (capability: 45,857)
What number of groups are collaborating?
Sixteen nations, drawn from each the Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF), will play within the event.
Hosts Qatar and defending champions Algeria, together with the seven highest-ranked nations on the time of the attract Might, all certified routinely.
The remaining seven slots had been stuffed by way of a sequence of single-leg qualification matches held in Qatar this week.
The collaborating nations have been divided into 4 teams, 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
How did Palestine qualify for Arab Cup?
Palestine edged Libya 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday to safe their place within the Arab Cup, bringing pleasure to Palestinians within the wake of Israel’s conflict on Gaza.
The playoff in Doha ended 0-0 after 90 minutes earlier than Palestine held their nerve within the shootout to achieve the 16-team event.
“This was the hardest playoff match,” coach Ihab Abu Jazar instructed Al Kass TV. “Libya are sturdy. Our circumstances and absences made it tougher, however we’re proud. Soccer is likely one of the few issues that may deliver happiness to Palestinians.
“We’re totally different from different groups. They play to compete, however we play for 2 objectives: to ship messages by way of soccer and to develop Palestinian soccer. Our crew has turn out to be a giant identify in Asia and was near reaching the World Cup playoff.
“We play for greater than trophies – we play to ship a message and convey pleasure to our folks,” he added.
What’s the prize cash for the Arab Cup?
The 2025 version could have a report prize cash of greater than $36.5m, becoming a member of the ranks of the world’s main worldwide soccer tournaments.
The final competitors, in 2021, had a reported prize purse of $25.5m.
What’s the event format?
The highest two groups in every group will qualify for the knockout stage, which options the quarterfinals, semifinals and the ultimate. There may be additionally a third-place playoff between the 2 dropping semifinalists.
Within the knockout levels, if a match is degree on the finish of regular taking part in time, it’s going to go to half-hour of additional time and, if required, penalties.
Who’re the earlier champions?
Iraq are essentially the most profitable crew within the Arab Cup with 4 titles. Saudi Arabia are the second-most profitable nation with two titles, whereas Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria have all gained as soon as every.
Algeria are the defending champions, having overwhelmed Tunisia 2-0 in additional time on the 2021 closing.
Traditionally, nations from the Asian Soccer Confederation (six titles) have gained greater than the Confederation of African Soccer groups (4 titles).
Why is the Arab Cup vital?
That includes a few of the strongest groups, the Arab Cup will give followers a style of what to anticipate from Arab nations at subsequent yr’s FIFA World Cup.
Seven Arab Cup members – Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria – can even compete on the FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada.
“The event performs an vital function in showcasing Arab and Islamic tradition to the world,” Algeria striker Baghdad Bounedjah stated. “It’s a celebration of our id and a chance to showcase our shared ardour for the gorgeous recreation on such a worldwide scale.”
With the revamped World Cup set to characteristic an expanded 48-team pool, the Arab Cup may very well be a proving floor for groups aiming to make a deep run on soccer’s largest stage.
Who’re the favourites to win?
Based mostly on their current efficiency within the 2026 World Cup qualification section, as many as 5 groups may very well be thought-about frontrunners for the title.
Up there’s Tunisia, who gathered essentially the most factors (28 from a potential 30) amongst all CAF nations in the course of the World Cup qualifiers, profitable 9 of the ten matches to complete high of their group.
Fellow North African neighbours Algeria and Morocco are sturdy contenders after each certified for the World Cup by ending high of their teams. Report seven-time African champions Egypt are additionally among the many favourites.
Jordan, who certified for the World Cup for the primary time, are an underdog choose to win all of it.
Who’re the highest gamers to look at?
Jordan’s Ali Olwan, the third-highest scorer within the AFC World Cup qualifying with 9 objectives, shall be one to look at within the event. Becoming a member of him on the checklist of forwards anticipated to pose a critical menace is Iraq’s Aymen Hussein, who was tied for fourth-highest objectives, with eight.
Followers must also regulate Tunisia’s dependable goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, who stored six clear sheets as his facet went unbeaten with out conceding in all 10 of their qualifying fixtures.
Ahead Akram Afif, whose identify has turn out to be synonymous with Qatar’s footballing success prior to now decade, is a key participant for the host nation, whereas Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al-Dawsari has been in respectable type of late, sitting joint-fourth within the Saudi Professional League’s high help males.
The place to purchase tickets and watch the event?
Tickets for the FIFA Arab Cup went on sale on the official ticketing platform on the finish of September. Followers should purchase tickets for particular person matches throughout three pricing classes, beginning at $7.
The event additionally had an possibility of team-specific packs, which supplied three group video games of every nation, beginning at about $20. Nevertheless, these at the moment are unavailable.
Tickets for the ultimate, beginning at $14, have offered out.
Within the Center East and North Africa, you may watch the whole event from December 1 by way of December 18, solely in Arabic and solely on beIN SPORTS PPV.
