Palestine Steps Up: A Captain’s vow to carry Arab unity through the Arab Cup

A message beyond participation: Palestine aims to speak for all Arabs

With the Arab Cup hosted by Qatar from December 1 to 18, 2025, bringing together the top Arab national teams, Mussab Al-Tabat, captain of Palestine, says leading his country in the tournament goes beyond simply playing games. It is about affirming Palestine’s presence on the world stage.

Al-Tabat, speaking to the tournament’s media center, expressed pride in wearing the Black Knights of Canaan and stressed that Palestine’s team stands apart as a representative of its people and the Arab world, backed by the support of fans across the region.

“Proud to play for Palestine in the Arab Cup, a platform to carry our people’s voices to the world and to draw attention to their resilience and rights,” he said.

The Black Knights are vying to secure a place among 16 teams in the qualifying round against Libya on November 25 at 7 p.m. at Al Bayt Stadium. If luck is on their side, they would join Group A with Qatar, Tunisia, and the winner of Syria vs South Sudan.

Al-Tabat, a right-back for Qatar SC, noted that qualifying would be a wonderful opportunity to witness a display of unity and brotherhood among Arab fans, a scene he hopes will echo beyond the football pitch.

He recalled the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Palestinian flags appeared in stadiums even though Palestine did not participate. Seeing the Palestinian flag in the stands filled him with happiness and pride, a testament to the reach of his homeland’s story.

“If the atmosphere is similar for Arab Cup 2025, we will play for a homeland alive in the hearts and minds of Arab fans, with their unwavering support throughout the tournament.”

The opening match on December 1 will be hosted at Al Bayt Stadium, pitting the hosts Qatar against the winner of Palestine vs Libya. The final is scheduled for December 18 at Lusail Stadium, with other venues including Ahmed bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International, and Stadium 974 hosting matches.

Around the Arab Cup: promotion, venues, and a world-class club showdown

A promotional tour for the Arab Cup Qatar edition was announced by the organizing committee, spanning several countries to bring the trophy closer to fans ahead of the event. The campaign will see the trophy visiting Saudi Arabia, then Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates before arriving in Qatar, which will stage the Arab Cup 2025 in six world-class stadiums that hosted parts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The organizers also outlined a global club-focused segment around the tournament, noting that Qatar will host the final three matches of the annual FIFA Club World Cup for 2025, crowning the world’s best club. The schedule features marquee showdowns on December 10, 13, and 17, including a clash between Cruz Azul (Mexico) and the Libertadores winner, followed by the winner facing Pyramids FC (Egypt) on December 13, and a final encounter with Paris Saint-Germain, Europe’s Champions League holder, on December 17 for the Club World Cup honors.

Qatar’s hosting of the Club World Cup finals continues a trend from 2019, 2020, and last year’s 2024 edition, won by Real Madrid at Lusail Stadium—the same venue that hosted the 2022 World Cup final. The piece notes that the December schedule will fuse club and national-team excitement, maintaining Qatar’s status as a central hub for global football this winter.

In sum, Palestine’s participation is framed as part of a broader Arab celebration of sport, unity, and regional pride, with fans across the Arab world ready to rally behind a team carrying more than just three points on the scoreboard.

Punchline time: If football is life, Palestine just scored a political assist—and yes, the trophy cabinet is now officially bilingual: it speaks ‘goosebumps’ in every Arab dialect. And if you thought the group stage was tough, wait until the snack vendors start offering falafel and fond memories of home in the stands.