The Arab world’s greatest soccer competitors kicks off on Monday, as 16 groups from throughout the area face off in Qatar.
Right here’s every thing it is advisable know concerning the match, 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 match opener.
The ultimate will probably be performed on December 18, marking the conclusion of the 32-match match.
- Group stage: December 1 to 9
- Quarterfinals: December 11 and 12
- Semifinals: December 15
- Third-place playoff: December 18
- Closing: December 18
The place is the match being held?
Qatar is staging the Arab Cup for the third time; it hosted the 1998 and 2021 tournaments. It is usually the second successive FIFA match 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 throughout 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 match opener, whereas the magnificent Lusail Stadium will host the ultimate.
The 2025 Arab Cup would be the second version underneath FIFA’s jurisdiction, with editions earlier than 2021 organised by the Union of Arab Soccer Associations (UAFA).
Listed below 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 match.
Hosts Qatar and defending champions Algeria, together with the seven highest-ranked nations on the time of the attract Could, all certified robotically.
The remaining seven slots had been stuffed via a collection 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 match.
“This was the hardest playoff match,” coach Ihab Abu Jazar informed Al Kass TV. “Libya are robust. Our circumstances and absences made it tougher, however we’re proud. Soccer is likely one of the few issues that may carry happiness to Palestinians.
“We’re completely different from different groups. They play to compete, however we play for 2 targets: to ship messages via soccer and to develop Palestinian soccer. Our staff has grow to be a giant title in Asia and was near reaching the World Cup playoff.
“We play for greater than trophies – we play to ship a message and produce pleasure to our individuals,” he added.
What’s the prize cash for the Arab Cup?
The 2025 version can 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 match format?
The highest two groups in every group will qualify for the knockout stage, which options the quarterfinals, semifinals and the ultimate. There’s additionally a third-place playoff between the 2 dropping semifinalists.
Within the knockout levels, if a match is stage on the finish of regular taking part in time, it would go to half-hour of additional time and, if required, penalties.
Who’re the earlier champions?
Iraq are essentially the most profitable staff 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 received as soon as every.
Algeria are the defending champions, having crushed Tunisia 2-0 in further time on the 2021 remaining.
Traditionally, nations from the Asian Soccer Confederation (six titles) have received greater than the Confederation of African Soccer groups (4 titles).
Why is the Arab Cup necessary?
That includes a number 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 contributors – Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria – can even compete on the FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
“The match performs an necessary function in showcasing Arab and Islamic tradition to the world,” Algeria striker Baghdad Bounedjah mentioned. “It’s a celebration of our identification 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 greatest stage.
Who’re the favourites to win?
Based mostly on their latest 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 doable 30) amongst all CAF nations throughout the World Cup qualifiers, profitable 9 of the ten matches to complete high of their group.
Fellow North African neighbours Algeria and Morocco are robust contenders after each certified for the World Cup by ending high of their teams. Document seven-time African champions Egypt are additionally among the many favourites.
Jordan, who certified for the World Cup for the first time, are an underdog decide 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 targets, will probably be one to look at within the match. Becoming a member of him on the record of forwards anticipated to pose a severe risk is Iraq’s Aymen Hussein, who was tied for fourth-highest targets, with eight.
Followers also needs to control Tunisia’s dependable goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, who saved six clear sheets as his aspect went unbeaten with out conceding in all 10 of their qualifying fixtures.
Ahead Akram Afif, whose title has grow to be synonymous with Qatar’s footballing success up 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 match?
Tickets for the FIFA Arab Cup went on sale on the official ticketing platform on the finish of September. Followers should buy tickets for particular person matches throughout three pricing classes, beginning at $7.
The match additionally had an possibility of team-specific packs, which supplied three group video games of every nation, beginning at about $20. Nevertheless, these are actually unavailable.
Tickets for the ultimate, beginning at $14, have offered out.
Within the Center East and North Africa, you’ll be able to watch the whole match from December 1 via December 18, solely in Arabic and solely on beIN SPORTS PPV.
