FROM LEFT: LOC Executive Director of Communications and Media, Fatma Al Nuaimi, FIFA Head of Youth Tournaments, Roberto Grassi, LOC CEO, Jassim Al Jassim, Ministry of Interior Spokesman, Colonel Dr. Jabr H. J. Al Naimi and Hayya Director at Qatar Tourism, Saeed Al Kuwari during a press conference yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar yesterday reaffirmed its full readiness to stage the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) outlined final preparations at a press conference held at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
The regional football showpiece kicks off tomorrow, with 16 teams vying for the prestigious title.
LOC CEO Jassim Al Jassim said Qatar is set to deliver “an exceptional tournament”, highlighting strong demand across all key areas.
Ticket sales have crossed 700,699, including 210,209 purchased by fans outside Qatar - a clear indication of the event’s popularity in the region.
“After Qatar, most of the tickets are bought by fans from Jordan, followed by Saudi Arabia,” Al Jassim said.
“The last batch of tickets will be released today, which will be for the opening. All ticket holders can use the Doha Metro for free,” he added yesterday.
“All ticket holders can travel for free on the Doha Metro on match days. Every stadium is connected and the experience will be smooth,” Al Jassim said.
He added that Qatar’s busy football calendar this season has strengthened operational readiness.
“Out of these events, we believe the Arab Cup will have the largest turnout and we are looking for another spectacular edition,” Al Jassim said.
Meanwhile, FIFA Head of Youth Tournaments Roberto Grassi praised Qatar’s hosting standards, saying the country “continues to set the benchmark” for major football events.
He underlined Qatar’s proven record as a major-event host, recalling the successful 2021 Arab Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “It’s great to see that we are back here… we will have another great final at Lusail on the 18th of December,” Grassi said.
“We have just finished the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025. This was the first of five editions that will be staged here. We had 48 teams and 104 matches played at Aspire. It was a great success, a real festival of football. Everyone enjoyed it and we received incredible feedback from all stakeholders.
Now we remain in Doha for the FIFA Arab Cup and the Intercontinental Cup,” Grassi said.
“For us, this is very important because we want to celebrate football, and over the past weeks we have seen that Doha and Qatar offer exceptional conditions for everyone involved,” Grassi said.
“Conditions here are ideal for any football lover. That is why we are here, and I am sure the Arab Cup and the Intercontinental Cup will be as successful and spectacular as the U-17 World Cup,” Grassi added.
Hayya Director at Qatar Tourism Saeed Al Kuwari, Ministry of Interior Spokesman Colonel Dr. Jabr H. J. Al Naimi and LOC Executive Director of Communications and Media Fatma Al Nuaimi also attended the occasion and confirmed that all operational, security, and fan-experience plans are in place.
The organisers said tomorrow’s opening ceremony will begin at 5:30pm at Al Bayt Stadium, ahead of hosts Qatar taking on Palestine at 7:30pm, with gates opening from 2:30pm to manage the expected large crowd.
Matches will also be played at Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International and Stadium 974, with the final scheduled for December 18 at Lusail Stadium.
Match-day ticket holders will be able to access fan zones at all six venues, featuring cultural performances, food outlets, games and interactive activities. According to the LOC, the tournament experience has been designed to showcase the region’s shared heritage and to celebrate Arab culture and unity throughout the competition.
