Drama, Penalties, and a Breakthrough: Sudan and Comoros Reach the Arab Cup Group Stage
26 November 2025
Sudan and Comoros Seal Arab Cup Berths
Comoros and Sudan completed the list of teams qualified for the Arab Cup group stage in Qatar, scheduled from December 1 to 18, after Comoros beat Yemen on penalties 5-4 following a 4-4 draw, while Sudan defeated Lebanon 2-1 in the playoff matches held on Wednesday, amid the hardship and turbulence facing both nations.
Sudan's Tough Path to the Group Stage
In Doha at the Al-Gharafa Stadium, the Desert Lions earned a fifth finals appearance, showcasing their physical strength and experience even after a red card in the first half under coach James Kwesi Appiah. Lebanon's approach was solid but could not hold the late Sudan turnaround.
Appiah spoke after the match about the contest's intensity, praising the players’ belief and the supporters who backed them throughout the night.
Comoros' Dramatic Ride to Qualification
In the second playoff at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, Comoros and Yemen played a dramatic 4-4 draw, with Comoros prevailing 4-2 on penalties. The Yemeni side took an early lead, equalized, and looked set to advance before Comoros struck late to force penalties.
Comoros finally clinched a place in the group stage after a tense shootout, aided by a late own goal miscue from Yemen and a pair of late strikes by Ziad Amir.
Stadiums and the Arab Cup 2025 Outlook
Qatar hosts six stadiums that previously staged World Cup 2022 matches: Lusail, Al Bayt, Ahmad bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International, and 974. The Arab Cup 2025 features 16 teams, with nine auto-qualified by FIFA rankings and the rest decided in the November qualifiers.
Fans expect high-level football with Arab stars such as Salem Al-Dawsari for Saudi Arabia and Akram Afif for Qatar, plus players from Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, and the defending champions Algeria, all set to light up the tournament on Qatar's world-class venues.
Stadium details include Lusail (80,000), Al Bayt (60,000, reduced to 32,000 for the tournament), Ahmad bin Ali (20,000), Khalifa International (capacity updated), Education City (25,000), and 974 (40,000).
With the qualifiers complete, fans anticipate a festival of football in which African and Arab talents collide on top-class pitches in Qatar.
Punchlines: If drama had a trophy, this tournament would be its crown jewel. And remember: in football as in life, the last-minute twist is the best plot twist.
