Arab Cup Spotlight: Manaf Abu Shuqeir Champions Arab Football’s Rising Wave
25 November 2025
Overview
In the run-up to the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, former Saudi star Manaf Abu Shuqeir says the tournament is a platform to spotlight Arab football talent and the strength of the region's teams. He adds that this event should be more than a show; it should prove that Arab football can compete at the highest level.
He emphasizes that the Saudi national team aims higher than merely taking part; the objective is to contend for the title and lift the trophy, echoing a belief that this squad can write a new chapter for the country's footballing ambitions.
The pride of donning the national jersey, he notes, comes with real responsibility—the moment the players step onto the pitch, they carry the hopes of their nation and its fans.
Abu Shuqeir also comments on the electric atmosphere surrounding Saudi football, pointing to the fans who fill the stands with passion and energy, a sign of the sport’s rising prominence in the kingdom.
He highlights how Saudi supporters have shown sustained enthusiasm for the sport, comparing it to the buzz surrounding the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the 2025 FIFA World Cup U-17 event, which further propelled the region's football culture into the global spotlight.
The veteran striker commends Qatar for playing a pivotal role in raising football standards in the region, praising the country’s exceptional hosting of the 2022 World Cup as a blueprint for future events.
He recalls Qatar's delivery of a world-class tournament—world-class stadiums, state-of-the-art facilities, and a level of organization that raised expectations for regional competitions to come.
On his career, Abu Shuqeir notes his 37 appearances for Saudi Arabia and a long tenure with Al Ittihad, including two consecutive AFC Champions League titles in the mid-2000s, underscoring how club success helped pave the way for international achievements.
The tournament draw places Saudi Arabia in Group B alongside Morocco and the victors of Oman vs Somalia and Yemen vs Comoros. The Green Falcons open their campaign on December 2 against the winner of the Oman-Somalia tie at Education City Stadium, kick-off at 8 PM local time.
From December 1 to 18, Qatar will host the event across six World Cup-stadiums—Al Bayt, Lusail, Ahmed bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International, and 974—showcasing the region’s capacity to host big-stage football.
Sixteen teams will compete for the title; nine automatically qualified by FIFA rankings, with the remaining seven positions decided through qualifiers held on November 25-26 in Qatar.
Ticket information is available via roadtoqatar.qa, with prices starting at 25 Qatari riyals. The venues are connected to a modern public transport network and offer accessible facilities, fan zones, and a range of cultural and entertainment activities designed to enhance the tournament’s festive atmosphere.
The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 sits within a busy year for football in Qatar, alongside ongoing events like the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2025, reinforcing Qatar’s role as a global football hub.
For updates on the tournament, follow arabcupqa and roadtoqatar on all major social platforms.
Punchline 1: If defense had a soundtrack, it would be a whistle—because even the best plans get offside at the last second.
Punchline 2: My strategy on match day? Sit, watch, repeat—defense so tight even my snacks stay in formation.
