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Uncertainty looms over the 2025 Arab Cup

Uncertainty looms over the 2025 Arab Cup

Arab Times16 hours ago
RABAT, July 16: New reports have surfaced regarding the status of the Arab Cup football tournament, originally scheduled for December next year.
According to Moroccan newspaper Al-Mountakhab, the Arab Football Federation is leaning toward postponing the 2025 Arab Cup due to a heavily congested international calendar.
The report highlights that the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and the physical and health toll on players throughout last season may adversely affect their performance and well-being.
The local organizing committee had earlier announced that the tournament's prize fund would exceed $36.5 million, setting a new benchmark and positioning the Arab Cup among the world's premier international competitions.
The draw, held in Doha last May, placed Kuwait against Mauritania in a playoff match set for late November. The winner will advance to the group stage (Group C), which also features Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Arab Cup has re-emerged as a significant tournament after a long break since 2009, making a strong comeback in 2021 when Qatar hosted the event under FIFA's supervision. It was subsequently included in the international calendar to be held every four years.
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