Arab Cup Returns in 2025: Full Format, Venues, and Key Dates Revealed

The Arab Cup 2025 hosted in Qatar under FIFA supervision, is set to return from 1 to 18 Dec, bringing together 16 top Arab nations from Asia and Africa in continental football spectacle.

The competition will be played across 6 iconic World Cup stadiums including Lusail, Al Bayt and Khalifa International.

A Brief History of the Arab Cup

Launched in 1963 in Lebanon, the Arab cup's seen 10 editions with participation fluctuating due to political and organizational issues.

After long hiatus, the 2021 edition in Qatar organized under FIFA marked new era of professionalism. Algeria won that edition beating Tunisia in the final.

Iraq holds the record with 4 title followed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco with 2 each.

Qualification & Tournament Format

• 9 teams automatically qualified based on the April 2025 fifa ranking.
• 7 teams will join via playoff matches on 25/26 Nov 2025.
• Teams will be split into 4 groups with the top 2 from each group advancing to the quarterfinals followed by semifinals and final.

Venues & Key Matches

• Opening match: 1 December at Al Bayt Stadium
• Final match: 18 December at Lusail Stadium
• Other stadiums: Khalifa International, Ahmad bin Ali, 974, Education City
• Each venue's capacity of 40,000+ matching Qatar’s record breaking 1.5 million fans at Asian cup 2023

Organizers’ Vision & Expectations

Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim, CEO of the Local Organizing Committee said the event will mirror the atmosphere of World cup 2022 with favorable weather and packed stadiums.

He also revealed plans for promotional tour of the trophy in Arab cities and ongoing talks with fifa to establish the Arab cup as regular event on the international calendar.

No Clash with AFCON 2025

Despite the final being just three days before AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Al Jassim confirmed that only the host nation might be affected as most teams will debut later in the tournament.

Looking Ahead to 2029

Qatar is already in discussions to host the next edition in 2029 reinforcing its position as hub for elite football events.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.