Qatar set to host the second edition of the region’s biggest football competition in less than 100 days
Doha, Qatar: With less than 100 days to go for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, preparations are underway to host the region’s biggest football tournament. This is the second time that Qatar will be hosting the competition, bringing together fans from across the region to celebrate a shared passion for football and the richness and diversity of Arab culture on a global stage.
The inaugural edition of the FIFA Arab Cup took place in Qatar in 2021 andwas the first time the competition was held under the auspices of FIFA. It was a resounding success, with thousands of fans attending matches to support their national teams.
As a prelude to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the competition put Qatar on the map as a premier global sports destination showcasing its capability and readiness in hosting football’s biggest tournament a year later.
Here are top 10 highlights from the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021:
6 FIFA World Cup stadiums hosted the tournament for the first time
The tournament was played across six stadiums, which were later used to host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches. Two of the stadiums were inaugurated during the tournament: Al Bayt Stadium that hosted the opening match of Qatar v Bahrain, and Stadium 974 – the first fully demountablevenue to be used in a FIFA World Cup.
16 Arab national teams competed for the coveted trophy
A total of 16 national teams competed at the inaugural edition of the tournament. Algeria clinched the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 trophy with a 2-0 victory over Tunisia. Hosts Qatar reached the semi-finals and beat Egypt in the third-place play-off with a 5-4 penalty shootout.
83 goals marked a successful tournament for attacking players
A total of 83 goals were scored across 32 matcheswith an average of 2.59 goals per match.The highest number scored in a single match was 6, while 5-1 was the result in three different matches.
Tunisian player Seifeddine Jaziri became the top goal scorer with four goals, winning the Golden Boot award.
631,742 tickets reflected the tournament’s widespread popularity
A total of 631,742tickets were allocated to fans from across the region. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions in place during the time of tournament, several matches recorded above 80% occupancy. The tournament was recognised as one of the largest mega-sporting events post-pandemic, showcasing Qatar’s ability to host tournaments to the highest safety standards.
63,439 spectatorsmarked the highest attendance in a single match
The tournament recorded its highest match attendance at the quarter-final between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which saw 63,439 spectators throng the Al Bayt Stadium. At the time, the match seta national attendance record for a sporting event.
272mn viewers tuned in from around the world
Hundreds of millions of fansfollowed the tournament from the region and beyond. The highest views were recorded for the Algeria v Egypt group stage match and the Morocco v Algeria quarter-final. Interest in the tournament was at an all-time high, reestablishing its place as the region’s most prestigious national team football competition.
2.5mn fans used Qatar’s public transport system
A total of 2.5 million fans utilised Qatar’s state-of-the-art public transport network to travel to stadiums. All venues were accessible by metro, and shuttle services were available between stadiums and metro stations. The ability of fans to travel with ease highlighted Qatar’s compact nature, which allowed players and fans alike to stay in one place of accommodation throughout the tournament.
2 stadiums featured audio descriptive commentary in Arabic language for the first time
During the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, Qatar showcased its pioneering efforts to deliver a barrier-free tournament experience for disabled fans, and a year later, succeeded in delivering the most accessible FIFA World Cup tournament in history.
Two stadiums piloted the audio descriptive commentary servicein the Arabic language for blind and partially sighted fans for the first time. Additionally, Education City Stadium featured a sensory roomfor fans with sensory access requirements. Allstadiums includedseating options for wheelchair users and fans with limited mobility.
5,000 volunteers played a critical role in the delivery of the tournament
5,000 volunteers were recruited to support across various functional areas. The diverse group of volunteers comprised of 92 different nationalities from across the country. The tournament marked an important milestone for the development of a strong volunteering culture in Qatar, which has been on display at all major sporting events in the country, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
1,000+ journalists were accredited to cover the event
More than 1,000 accredited journalists covered the tournament, generating massive coverage in the local and regional markets. This included a large number of international media outlets that were excited to capture stories from the tournament to audiences all over the world.
Count down begins for the second edition
The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 is set to take place from December 1-18. A total of 23 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 trophy. Nine of the highest FIFA ranked teams have qualified automatically, while 14 teamswill vie for the remaining 7 spots in a series of qualifiers that will take place in Qatar on November 25 and 26.
The tournament will be played across six stadiums that previously hostedmatches during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. All venues are connectedseamlessly by public transport and will offer a barrier-free experience to disabled fans.
The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 is part of several tournaments that Qatar will be hosting up until the end of the year, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 from November 3-27.
In addition to this year’s edition, Qatar will be hosting the FIFA Arab Cup again in 2029 and 2033.
