Arab Cup 2025 Playoffs: Seven Spots Rivalry intensifies in Qatar

Arab Cup 2025 Qualifiers: Seven Spots Up For Grabs

Seven teams will clinch their place in the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar through two days of playoff matches, scheduled as the competition runs from December 1 to 18.

Qatar, the Gulf nation that hosted the last World Cup in 2022, will stage seven matches for the 14 lowest-ranked teams over two days, with the winners joining nine teams that had already qualified automatically.

Qatar previously hosted the 2021 edition as a rehearsal for the first World Cup in the Middle East, and the title was claimed by Algeria’s reserve side after extra time, beating Tunisia 2-0.

The winners of Syria vs South Sudan and Palestine vs Libya will join Group A, which includes Qatar and Tunisia.

Given the busy schedules of many players with their clubs and the tournament taking place outside FIFA windows, Syria will miss several players, notably Pablo Sabbagh, Mohammed Othman and Aymen Oso, in addition to Omar Kharboun and goalkeeper Elias Hidaya, who would join the “Lions of the Levant” if they reach the group stage.

On the eve of Libya vs Palestine, Senegalese coach Aliou Cissé said in a press conference: “Libya is trying to build a team with clear objectives, notably to pass the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. To build a team you must train hard and play as many matches as possible, and this tournament will give us that opportunity.”

Palestinian midfielder Hamad Hamdan added: “After World Cup qualifiers, all our preparations focused on the Libya match. Our goal is always for Palestine to be present in every major competition.”

Hard Yemeni circumstances

The winner of Oman vs Somalia and Comoros vs Yemen will join Group B alongside Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

Despite the challenges, Yemen are in a good spell, and their 7-1 victory over Bhutan has brought them closer to securing a single win that would qualify them for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, a tournament they have entered only once before.

Before Yemen’s game against Comoros, Yemen’s Haroun al-Zubaydi told FIFA’s site: “There is no professional league in Yemen at the moment, so this is a big opportunity for many players to shine.”

An Iraqi-based footballer stated: “I left just before the war began, and certainly many changes followed, but we all hope for better times. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to play on our home soil. I personally have never had this chance, and under current circumstances it’s very tough.”

Sudan aiming to restore World Cup qualifying form

The winner of Mauritania vs Kuwait will then face Egypt, Jordan and the UAE in the afternoon slot, while Kuwait hopes to return to the Arab scene after years away from the spotlight.

Veteran Fahd Al-Hajari said: “Our primary goal is to get past Mauritania. Then everyone knows the strength of the teams in our group—Egypt, UAE and Jordan are very strong. We have faced Jordan in World Cup qualifiers and the UAE in the Gulf Cup; Egypt is known for its strength in both starting XI and reserves.”

Conversely, Mauritanian Sidi Bona Amar remarked: “We watched Kuwait’s last two matches and drew tactical lessons, especially in attack and defense.”

The winner of Bahrain vs Djibouti and Sudan vs Lebanon will join Group Four with Algeria and Iraq.

Sudan produced notable displays in the early Africa qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, even leading their group for a spell ahead of teams like Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sudan’s goalkeeper Mohammed Nour Abu Ja’ah asserted the team’s readiness but explained the dip in results: “We were delivering strong performances, but injuries affected our form and preparations.”

Lebanon’s recent Arab Cup history saw a 2021 meeting with Sudan won by a counter-attack, as Lebanon’s renewed squad features newcomers, notably in attack with Colombian Sami Merhej from Deportivo Pereira and German-born Malik Fakhro.

Lebanon’s Walid Shour concluded: “We are technically and physically ready. We were in Brunei for Asian Cup qualifiers and have prepared for this match.”

Punchline: If these playoff nerves were a sniper’s target, the only thing guaranteed to hit would be the fans’ hope—and maybe the referee’s whistle, which still somehow sneaks into the spotlight. Punchline 2: My betting slip is like this tournament: full of nerves, yet somehow always predicting the post-match dessert better than the result.