Doha: CEO of the Local Organizing Committee for Football Events, Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim, confirmed that Qatar is prepared to host the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, promising a seamless entry process for fans through the Haya platform, previously used during the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Al Jassim assured that the application process would be efficient, with rapid approvals to ensure smooth entry for fans attending the matches. Qatar is hosting multiple events, and there is a well-established understanding of managing the arrival of international fans.

According to Qatar News Agency, Al Jassim shared that the details of the opening ceremony for the 11th edition of the FIFA Arab Cup are being kept under wraps to surprise attendees. However, he mentioned that the ceremony would feature a unique touch and include a match between Qatar and the winner of the Palestine-Libya match.

Al Jassim highlighted a special feature of the upcoming tournament: the participation of seven Arab countries that have qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup for the first time, with the possibility of Iraq joining them. This development is expected to enhance the tournament's technical and popular appeal, serving as a competitive platform for teams to prepare for the World Cup.

He noted that the official team lists indicate a strong aspiration for the title among all participants, with many Arab teams currently in peak form. This quality is reflected in the unprecedented demand for tickets, with some matches selling out within hours of release.

Regarding the ongoing Under-17 FIFA World Cup in Doha, Al Jassim announced Qatar's success in hosting the largest edition of the tournament, featuring 48 teams and a record number of matches. The event, which concludes with a final between Austria and Portugal, showcased Qatar's ability to host multiple matches in a single day, leveraging the experience gained from the FIFA 2022 World Cup.

Al Jassim emphasized that FIFA recognized the success of the Under-17 World Cup and praised the Aspire Academy complex's facilities. The tournament's location at this site underscores its success, given the academy's contribution to Qatar's victories in the Asian Cup.

Concluding, Al Jassim expressed confidence that the final match of the Under-17 World Cup between Portugal and Austria would be an outstanding event in terms of both technical performance and fan engagement, with a strong demand for tickets for the match at Khalifa International Stadium.