Arab Cup 2025: Youssef Msakni sees a golden era for Arab football and hidden stars

A gateway to tomorrow's Arab football talents

Youssef Msakni, Tunisia's star, stressed that the Arab Cup is crucial for shaping the region's football future by offering a platform to discover talents and build the next generation of stars.

Msakni, who has spent more than a decade with the Tunisian national team, is among the country's standout players.

On the significance of Qatar 2025, he said the tournament holds a special meaning for the region as a gathering of nations, fans, and Arab peoples rallying around unity.

In an interview with the tournament's organizing committee, Msakni stated that football is a major part of the Arab world’s culture and identity, adding that Arab peoples generally love the game and flock in large numbers to support their teams, especially when matches pit Arab nations against each other.

He continued: "The previous Arab Cup edition hosted by Qatar in 2021 was a huge success. The tournament drew fans from across the Arab world to celebrate together, with packed stands at every game, contagious enthusiasm, and an amazing atmosphere. Qatar turned into a football carnival throughout the tournament period."

Qatar's standing as a global sports hub

He praised Qatar's standing as a favorite destination for world sport, saying: "Qatar has established itself as a cradle for major championships and a capital for global sport, proving the immense potential it possesses, including world-class facilities, modern infrastructure, and vast expertise in sports industry."

Msakni also expressed pride in wearing his country's jersey and said that participating in the anticipated tournament fills him and his fellow citizens with pride and joy.

"Representing Tunisia in this tournament is an honor and a badge I wear with pride," he said. "I see myself as a soldier of the nation, contributing to an achievement that transcends the pitch and brings happiness to the Tunisian people — one of the most beautiful feelings a player can live."

The journey begins

Msakni recalled starting to play football as a child in school, noting his early career began at Stade Tunisien before moving to Espérance de Tunis, which marked a breakthrough in his professional life.

The Arab Cup draw placed Tunisia in Group A with hosts Qatar, and Syria and Palestine.

Tunisia will open their campaign on December 1 against Syria at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

The tournament runs from December 1 to December 18 across six World Cup-stadiums in Qatar: Al Bayt, Lusail, Ahmed bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International, and Stadium 974.

Sixteen teams compete for the title. Nine teams qualified automatically from FIFA's top-ranked nations; Kuwait, Palestine, and Syria earned additional spots through qualifiers held in Qatar on November 25.

With 12 teams confirmed, four more slots remain to be decided through final qualifying matches: Somalia vs. Oman, Djibouti vs. Bahrain, Lebanon vs. Sudan, Yemen vs. Comoros.

Bold activity in Qatar

Qatar will host a string of football events, including the Arab Cup and the Under-17 World Cup, which featured strong competition. The local organizing committee, in collaboration with FIFA, announced that Qatar will host the three final matches of the annual Club World Cup in December 2025, on the 10th, 13th, and 17th.

The committee noted that the event will bolster Qatar's international football calendar for the season, with Doha again hosting club finals that showcase three titles: the Americas Derby Cup, the Challenge Cup, and the Club World Cup Final. The 2019, 2020, and 2024 editions were also hosted in Qatar, including the iconic Lusail Stadium and the 2022 World Cup venues.

The third final on December 17 will feature the winner of the Americas Derby Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, the European champion, for the ultimate World Cup of Club titles.

Msakni spoke with pride about representing his country and emphasized that Tunisia’s participation is a shield of honor for himself and his fans.

He also noted that sharing the field with Qatar as the host country reflects the unity and passion that bind the Arab world through football.

Bride of the journey

Msakni’s football journey began as a schoolboy, and he pointed out that his professional path started at Stade Tunisien before a move to Espérance de Tunis launched his elite career in the beautiful game.

The draw confirmed Tunisia's presence in Group A alongside host Qatar and fellow Arab nations Syria and Palestine, with the opener against Syria set for December 1 at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

From December 1–18, the six Qatar venues—Al Bayt, Lusail, Ahmed bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International, and Stadium 974—will host a total of 16 teams, as football’s regional showpiece merges tradition with the world stage.

As the qualifiers wrap up, the competition will continue to celebrate the cultural ties and sporting prowess of the Arab world, while showcasing Qatar’s acclaimed infrastructure and hospitality.

Notes

Two punchlines coming your way: 1) If talent were a headshot, Msakni would be a sniper—spotting the next star before the defense even knows what hit them. 2) The Arab Cup isn’t just a tournament; it’s the world’s biggest talent scout, with snack breaks and chants included as assist bonuses.