The FIFA Arab Cup 2025 is set to take place from December 1 to 18 in Qatar, featuring 16 national teams from the Arab region. Tickets went on sale at the end of September, with high demand from fans of teams like Qatar, Algeria, and Egypt. The tournament offers a $36.5 million prize pool and will be hosted across six stadiums.
The second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup returns to Qatar following the successful 2021 tournament, where Algeria defeated Tunisia in extra time to claim the title. This year's event, organized under FIFA auspices, elevates the competition with a total prize money exceeding $36.5 million (approximately QR132.9 million), positioning it among major international football tournaments.
Sixteen teams will compete, with nine already qualified based on FIFA world rankings: hosts Qatar, defending champions Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. The remaining seven spots will be determined by one-off qualifiers on November 25 and 26 in Qatar, involving matchups such as Oman vs. Somalia, Bahrain vs. Djibouti, Syria vs. South Sudan, Palestine vs. Libya, Lebanon vs. Sudan, Kuwait vs. Mauritania, and Yemen vs. Comoros.
The tournament format includes four groups, with the top two teams from each advancing to the knockout stages: quarter-finals on December 11-12, semi-finals on December 15, and the third-place play-off and final on December 18. Reports vary on the opening match; one indicates Tunisia vs. the winner of Syria or South Sudan at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, while another points to Qatar vs. the winner of Palestine vs. Libya at Al Bayt Stadium on December 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The final will occur at Lusail Stadium on December 18 at 7 p.m. Other venues include Al Bayt Stadium (capacity 68,895), Stadium 974 (44,089), Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (45,032), Education City Stadium (44,667), and Khalifa International Stadium (45,857), all in four cities.
Tickets, starting at QR25, are available exclusively via www.roadtoqatar.qa, including 'Follow My Team' packages for group-stage matches (QR75-QR180). Categories range from QR10-QR100 depending on seating and match stage. Digital tickets include accessible options. Resale sites like Viagogo and Ticombo offer seats from QR140. Demand is strong for Qatar, Jordan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt supporters.
Promotional efforts include a booth and press conference at The Avenues Mall in Kuwait on October 30 to build excitement. Fans can expect entertainment, cultural activities, and seamless public transport across venues, with travel packages from Qatar Airways.