Qatar’s World Cup Spark Lifts Arab Football, Says Trezeguet Ahead of Kuwait Showdown
2 December 2025
Qatar’s Legacy Boosts Arab Football
Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet," the Egyptian star of Al Ahly, hailed Qatar’s leadership in elevating the status of Arab football on the global stage as the Arab Cup opens. He said the tournament is special and an honor to participate in, with every match an opportunity to showcase Egypt’s strength.
In remarks to the Arab Cup media center, Trezeguet noted that World Cup 2022 demonstrated Qatar’s extraordinary capabilities, a historic achievement for the region. He added that the world will once again turn its attention to Doha as the Arab Cup returns to the spotlight, placing Arab football on a global platform.
“Wearing the national jersey with millions of Egyptian fans cheering is a feeling like no other,” he said. “Playing for Egypt is a heavy responsibility but a great honor, and I’m sure the players will give their all to make the fans proud at the Arab Cup Qatar 2025.”
He also emphasized that playing in Qatar is a special experience, with matches in stadiums that hosted the World Cup adding extra value. He praised the modern sports infrastructure in Qatar as a key factor in supporting players and helping them excel.
“My international journey began in 2014,” he recalled, “and I’ve helped Egypt reach the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2017 and 2023. We’ve had notable performances in World Cup qualifications for 2026, with five goals contributing to our qualification.” He also highlighted his club career, including notable spells with Aston Villa in England and Al Rayyan in Qatar.
The Arab Cup draw pitted Egypt in Group C alongside Jordan, the UAE, and Kuwait, with the team aiming to improve on a fourth-place finish from the 2021 edition after a dramatic penalty shootout against Qatar. Egypt opens their campaign today against Kuwait at Lusail Stadium, the iconic venue that hosted the 2022 World Cup final.
As the drinks cool and the stadiums fill, Trezeguet’s words set the tone: this tournament is not just a contest of skill, but a statement about the rise of Arab football on the world stage.
