Doha will host the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 from December 1 to 18, offering a “renewed opportunity” to deepen ties among Arab nations and reaffirming that the tournament’s significance extends far beyond the football pitch, Qatar news agency (QNA) reported on Monday. Bringing together 16 Arab national teams in the finals and 14 in the preliminary qualifiers, the event stands as a vibrant platform for strengthening cultural and historical connections among Arab peoples, added the source.
The tournament underscores sport’s role as a “unifying force that reinforces shared identity, values, and traditions, and reflects the organizing committee’s commitment to cultural and sporting cooperation that nurtures a deeper sense of belonging to a unified Arab world,” said QNA.
The event brings together fans from across the region not only to support their national teams but also to celebrate the richness of Arab culture — through language, dress, music, customs, and traditions. These scenes of unity, vividly reflected in Qatari stadiums, highlight the strong bonds shared by the peoples of the region despite geographical and social differences, the same source said.
For his part, the Minister of Sports and Youth and President of the Organizing Committee for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani emphasized that “the tournament holds a special place in the region and carries significance that extends beyond football matches.” In his remarks about the tournament, the minister also said that the tournament, “celebrates the positive values of Arab football and once again highlights sport’s ability to bring people together and build bridges of communication.”
For his part, Algerian international Baghdad Bounedjah, a player for Al-Shamal SC, affirmed that “the significance of the Arab Cup extends beyond competition on the pitch. He stressed the tournament’s value in introducing the world’s people to Arab and Islamic culture and in promoting Arab identity on the global sports stage.” The Algerian forward noted in statements published by the tournament’s organizing committee the Arab Cup is “a grand celebration that reflects the unity of the Arab peoples and their passion for football.”
