Arab Cup 2025: Upset Potential ⚽🔥

World News

The Arab world’s premier football competition, the Arab Cup, commences on Monday as sixteen teams from across the region compete in Qatar. Here’s a breakdown of the tournament, which takes place every four years. The tournament’s schedule includes a group stage running from December 1 to 9, followed by quarterfinal matches on December 11 and 12, then the semifinals on December 15, a third-place playoff on December 18, and culminating in the final on December 18.

Qatar is hosting the Arab Cup for the third time, having previously hosted the tournaments in 1998 and 2021. This event follows the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup, marking the Gulf nation’s second successive FIFA tournament hosting role. Six venues have been selected to accommodate the regional competition, mirroring the sites utilized during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Notably, Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor will host the tournament’s opening match, while the magnificent Lusail Stadium will play host to the final.

The 2025 Arab Cup represents the second edition under FIFA’s jurisdiction, with earlier events prior to 2021 organized by the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA). The participating cities and stadiums are as follows: Lusail City: Lusail Stadium (capacity: 88,966); Al Rayyan: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (capacity: 45,032); Al Khor: Al Bayt Stadium (capacity: 68,895); and Doha: Stadium 974 (capacity: 44,089).

⚽Education City Stadium, with a capacity of 44,667, and Khalifa International Stadium in Doha (45,857) will both play host to matches during the Arab Cup. The iconic Lusail Stadium in Qatar, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, will stage the Arab Cup final on December 18. Sixteen nations—drawn from both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF)—will compete in the tournament. Qatar and defending champions Algeria automatically qualified, along with the seven highest-ranked nations at the time of the May draw. The remaining seven spots were secured through a series of single-leg qualification matches held in Qatar this week. The teams have been divided into four groups: Group A consists of Tunisia, Syria, Qatar, and Palestine; Group B includes Morocco, Comoros, Saudi Arabia, and Oman; Group C features Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates; and Group D comprises Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, and Bahrain. The tournament offers a significant opportunity for Palestinian teams, bringing joy to Palestinians in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Coach Ihab Abu Jazar of Palestine told Al Kass TV, “This was the toughest playoff match. Libya are strong. Our circumstances and absences made it harder, but we are proud. Football is one of the few things that can bring happiness to Palestinians.”

The Palestinian national football team’s ambitions extend far beyond mere trophies; they strive to deliver a powerful message and bring joy to their people. Having established a significant presence in Asian football, the team was on the cusp of reaching the World Cup playoffs. “We play for more than just victories – we play to send a message and to foster the development of Palestinian football,” a team spokesperson emphasized. In a nerve-wracking shootout, Palestine secured their place in the 16-team tournament. “This was the most challenging playoff match,” coach Ihab Abu Jazar told Al Kass TV. “Libya is a formidable opponent, and our difficulties, compounded by absences, made the victory even more rewarding. Football remains one of the few avenues for happiness within Palestinian society.”

With the revamped World Cup set to include an expanded 48-team pool, the Arab Cup presents a valuable opportunity for teams seeking to establish themselves on the global stage. Several teams are considered frontrunners for the title, including Tunisia, which garnered the most points (28 from a possible 30) among all CAF nations during the World Cup qualifiers, winning nine of their ten matches to top their group. Algeria and Morocco, fellow North African neighbors, also remain strong contenders.

Strong contenders Egypt and Jordan both secured their spots in the World Cup by topping their respective groups, and Egypt, a record seven-time African champion, is considered among the favorites. Jordan, making its debut at the tournament, is largely viewed as an underdog. Several players will undoubtedly command attention, including Jordan’s Ali Olwan, the third-highest scorer in the AFC World Cup qualifying campaign with nine goals. Joining him as a forward expected to be a significant threat is Iraq’s Aymen Hussein, who finished tied for fourth-highest in goals with eight. Fans should also closely monitor Tunisia’s reliable goalkeeper, Aymen Dahmen, who maintained six clean sheets throughout his side’s unbeaten qualifying campaign, which saw them go ten matches without conceding. Notably, Akram Afif, a name synonymous with Qatar’s footballing success over the past decade, is a key player for the host nation, and Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al-Dawsari currently sits joint-fourth in the Saudi Pro League’s top assist rankings. Furthermore, Akram Afif was recognized as part of the team of the tournament at the 2021 Arab Cup.