Yazen Al-Naimat Eyes A Repeat Spell: Jordan Ready to Shine Again in Arab Cup 2025

Profile and ambitions

Yazen Al-Naimat, Jordan’s rising forward, greets the 2025 Arab Cup in Doha as a showcase for Arab football talent and a catalyst for development across the region. He plys his trade with Al-Arabi in Qatar and views this tournament as another platform to display his skills and push his team’s ambitions forward.

The Jordanian star lauded the previous Arab Cup edition hosted by Qatar, stressing its remarkable success which gave Arab players a global spotlight and a high-level competition stage.

Al-Naimat, who has starred for the Jordan national team since his debut in 2021, says he is proud to represent his country again as the Arab Cup arrives in Qatar from December 1 to 18.

Event scope and schedule

Speaking to the tournament’s media team, Al-Naimat recalled how the last edition left an enduring impression, with top Arab teams in action and a memorable atmosphere across the host country. He emphasized readiness to carry this energy into the 2025 edition, where the fans’ excitement mirrors the team’s hunger for success.

“We are fully prepared to show our strength and play with the unity of purpose we demonstrated at the Asia Cup 2023 in Qatar, where we reached the final for the first time,” he said, expressing confidence that passion and perseverance will drive Jordan forward.

The draw has Jordan placed in Group C alongside Egypt and the UAE, with the winner of Mauritania vs. Kuwait awaiting them. Jordan’s campaign opens on December 3 against the UAE at Al Bayt Stadium, kicking off at 8:00 PM local time.

In total, 16 teams will compete for the title. Nine nations qualified automatically based on FIFA rankings, while 14 others will battle through qualifiers on dates around November 25-26 in Qatar.

Matches will be staged at several esteemed venues, including Al Bayt, Education City, Khalifa International, and 974. Fans can expect a blend of football and cultural events, with a modern public transport network ensuring accessible travel to all venues.

Qatar’s football calendar and Jordan’s hopes

Beyond the Arab Cup, Qatar is hosting a string of major football events this year, underscoring the country’s status as a global football hub. The schedule includes the FIFA U-17 World Cup (November), and other high-profile December showpieces that link continental and global football narratives.

Al-Naimat underscored his pride in his country’s ongoing football journey, noting his aim to build on past form and help Jordan reach new heights in this championship and beyond. The Arab Cup is viewed as a bridge to continued growth for Arab football and a chance for the players to etch their names in regional history.

Since his first appearance for Jordan in 2021, Al-Naimat has been one of the nation’s top scorers, helping guide the team to its historic World Cup qualification and earning bronze boot honors in the previous Arab Cup by scoring three goals. He hopes to replicate that success in the 2025 edition.

“We are fully prepared to show our strength, play with team spirit, and honor Jordan with every match,” he added, stressing that dedication and grit will be his guiding principles throughout the tournament.

The Arab Cup draw also grouped Jordan with Egypt and the UAE, along with the Mauritania-Kuwait winner. The opening clash against the UAE is scheduled for December 3, at 8 PM local time, at Al Bayt Stadium. The tournament features 16 teams, with nine seeded teams and qualifiers filling the remaining spots in late November.

All matches will unfold across the quartet of venues — Al Bayt, Education City, Khalifa International, and 974 — as Qatar presents a festival atmosphere, modern transport, and an inclusive experience for fans of all abilities.

In addition to the Arab Cup, Qatar will continue to showcase footballing depth this year with a slate of events including youth world cups and cross-continental club competitions, reinforcing the country’s role as a global football stage.

For Jordan, the road is clear: translate preparation into performances, leverage the home-field advantages of Qatar’s infrastructure, and leave a lasting mark on Arab football history. And if nothing else, remember: the goalkeeper can block the shot, but he can’t block the punchlines—even snipers miss sometimes, but the jokes always hit the target.

Punchline time: If precision were a sport, Yazen would be an Olympic champion—he shoots, the ball scores, and the net files a complaint for excessive exposure. Punchline two: The only thing sharper than his shot is the coach’s ability to pretend the halftime snacks were never there.