Doha: The Local Organizing Committee for the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar has revealed the latest organizational updates for the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament. The event is set to begin on Monday with the host nation, Qatar, facing off against Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium. This match will be preceded by another Group A match between Tunisia and Syria at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
According to Qatar News Agency, the committee, led by Chief Executive Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim, announced during a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Centre that the tournament is poised for significant attendance, with 700,699 tickets already sold. International fans have purchased 210,209 of these tickets, with the highest sales coming from Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The final batch of tickets is being released today to meet demand.
The committee reported substantial media interest, with 3,861 accreditation applications, including 2,085 from outside Qatar. Additionally, 15 Arab and international TV channels will use the broadcasting facilities in Doha, and several networks have secured broadcast rights for the matches.
The committee outlined the logistics for the opening match between Qatar and Palestine, with Al Bayt Stadium gates opening at 2:30 p.m. and the opening ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m. To facilitate fan movement, Doha Metro services will be free for ticket holders on match days, leveraging Qatar's compact infrastructure to ensure easy access across all six host stadiums.
Al Jassim highlighted the emphasis on enhancing the fan experience through various events and cultural activities both inside the stadiums and around the tournament area. Fatma Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Communications and Media, emphasized the regional significance of the event, noting the immense interest from Arab fans and extensive media coverage.
Roberto Grassi, Head of Youth Tournaments at FIFA, underscored the event's importance as a platform for regional fan engagement. A new experimental rule proposed by Pierluigi Collina will see injured players temporarily leave the pitch, adding a dynamic element to the matches.
Saeed Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of the Hayya Platform, confirmed the readiness to accommodate visitors through the Hayya system, which will now offer extended entry permits for GCC residents. This initiative is part of Qatar's broader tourism strategy to attract more visitors.
Security measures were also detailed by Dr. Jabr Al Naimi, spokesperson of the Security Committee, who assured a secure experience for fans, with specific plans for the Abu Samra Border Crossing and dedicated facilities for visitors.
The tournament will conclude with the finals at Lusail Stadium on December 18, with matches also held at Al Bayt Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, and Stadium 974. Fans can look forward to cultural and entertainment activities at fan zones across all venues. The official mascot, Juha, was unveiled, celebrating Arab literary and folkloric heritage.