The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 is set to kick off on December 1 with hosts Qatar facing Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium. Organizers have announced robust preparations, including 700,699 tickets sold and free Doha Metro access for fans. The tournament features 16 teams and serves as key preparation for seven World Cup qualifiers.
The second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup under FIFA's umbrella begins December 1 and runs through December 18 in Qatar, bringing together 16 national teams from Asia and Africa. This marks the 11th staging of the tournament, hosted for the second consecutive time in Doha following the 2021 event. Algeria enters as defending champions after a 2-0 win over Tunisia in the previous final.
Ticket Sales and Fan Experience
A total of 700,699 tickets have been sold, with 210,209 purchased by fans outside Qatar, highlighting the event's regional draw. Supporters from Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia led sales for group-stage matches. Tickets start at QR25 and are fully digital, including accessible seating options via email requests to accessibility.tickets@sc.qa. A 'Follow My Team' package allows attendance at all group games for selected sides. To enhance accessibility, Doha Metro will be free for ticket holders on match days, connecting all six venues: Al Bayt, Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International, Stadium 974, and Lusail Stadium.
The opening match pits hosts Qatar against Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium, with gates opening at 2:30 p.m. and the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The final is scheduled for December 18 at Lusail Stadium. Fans can expect cultural activities at fan zones across venues, plus the official mascot Juha, drawn from Arab folklore, and a soundtrack featuring 'Zamani' and 'Makani' produced by Katara Studios. A Daily Fantasy Game is available via the FIFA app.
Organizational and Competitive Updates
Media interest is high, with 3,861 accreditation applications, including 2,085 from abroad, and 15 broadcasters using Doha studios. New regulations classify matches as international friendlies counting toward FIFA rankings, a first for the tournament. Tie-breakers now prioritize head-to-head goal difference over overall group stats, and the prize pool rises to $36.5 million from $25 million in 2021.
The event offers vital preparation for seven Arab teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. Iraq joins via playoff. Comoros makes its debut after a 4-4 draw and 4-2 penalty win over Yemen in qualifiers. Jordan, in Group C, faces UAE on December 3, Kuwait on December 6, and Egypt on December 9. AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa urged Asian teams to showcase their best. Qatar's updated Hayya GCC Resident Visa extends stays to two months for Gulf visitors.