Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui (middle) speaks during a press conference yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Boosted by home support and energised by their recent FIFA World Cup qualification, hosts Qatar enter the highly-anticipated FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 as one of the tournament favourites.
The competition kicks off today, promising excitement and fierce battles across the 16-team lineup.
Qatar finished third in the regional tournament four years ago, defeating Egypt in a thrilling play-off, while Algeria lifted the trophy with a win over Tunisia in the final. The participating teams include seven sides that advanced from last week’s Doha qualifiers, all battling for a spot in the quarter-finals on December 11 and 12 after the group stage concludes on December 9.
The tournament boasts some of the region’s strongest sides. Morocco, ranked 11th in the FIFA world rankings, lead the pack, with Egypt (34th), Algeria (35th), Tunisia (40th), and Qatar (51st) also among the favourites. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq are tipped to be dark horses.
The grand finale is set for December 18, coinciding with Qatar National Day, at the iconic Lusail Stadium.
The first day of action opens with Tunisia facing Syria in Group A at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 4:00pm, but all eyes will be on Al Bayt Stadium at 7:30pm, where two-time Asian champions Qatar will meet Palestine in the other group match, following a spectacular Opening Ceremony.
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui has assembled a squad blending experience and youth, keeping an eye on the broader picture ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Senior players Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf and Pedro Miguel are absent, while striker Almoez Ali is sidelined after surgery. Akram Afif will lead the line, supported by seasoned campaigners Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Alaaeldin, Assim Madibo, Edmilson Junior, Lucas Mendes and Mohammed Waad.
Despite Qatar being favourites, Lopetegui remains mindful of Palestine - placed 96th in FIFA rankigs - who earned their place in the group stage with a tense penalty shootout win over Libya.
“We have the utmost respect for this team. They started the competition before us, and we expect the match to be evenly matched with them. We are not thinking about what comes after the Palestine match,” Lopetegui said at a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“We are taking this tournament one step at a time. Our preparation has been on all levels: physical, technical, and moral. We will face Palestine with full readiness and seriousness.”
On Qatar’s World Cup qualification, he added: “Our qualification for the World Cup was in October, and that’s history. We are focused on participating in the Arab Cup only. We are looking to write a new chapter in Al-Annabi’s history. We aim to win, develop and prepare for the stages ahead.”
Lopetegui also highlighted the importance of young talent in the squad.
“We have a group of new players and we are thinking positively about the future and we would like to have many options. I think the players are able to offer different solutions to the situations we will face. We have to perform well against Palestine.”
Among the young players, Al Hashemi Al Hussein spoke of his excitement to play in front of home fans.
“As young players in the national team, we strive to live up to the coach’s trust in us, and we and our teammates want to make our fans happy. We are playing on our home ground. Al-Annabi’s fans are well known and support the players, and we ask our fans to continue supporting Al-Annabi, and God willing, we will do our best for the fans.”
Palestinian coach Ihab Abu Jazar expressed confidence in his team despite a tough group draw.
“The Arab Cup is a very important milestone. We faced the Libyan national team in the toughest match in the play-offs and we were able to qualify. We will play in a very difficult group with two teams that qualified for the World Cup, and we know that the task is difficult. We trust all our players despite the absences, and we are confident that our national team will be different, knowing that our players have two or three seasons in the Qatari league.”
Palestinian midfielder Amjad Mahajneh added: “We are ready for the match and aim to deliver a performance that reflects the value of this tournament.”
The organisers have urged fans to arrive early, with the Opening Ceremony set to kick off at 5:30pm, promising a grand spectacle before Qatar begin their title chase.
